Public health page are raising alarms after new national health data revealed that chronic diseases are quietly taking over the lives of Malaysians, so much so that many 40-year-olds now have the “physical age of a 60-year-old”.
According to the Public Health Malaysia (PHM) page, unhealthy lifestyles combined with a lack of annual health screenings have led to soaring rates of hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes among Malaysians.
Many in their 40s believe life is just beginning, children are growing up, careers are stable and finances are improving.
But PHM says this age group is now paying the price for the lifestyle choices they made 10 to 20 years ago.
1 in 5 Malaysians has diabetes, 1 in 3 has high blood pressure
PHM shared worrying statistics showing just how widespread chronic diseases have become:
- 20% of Malaysians have diabetes
- 30% suffer from high blood pressure
- 40% have high cholesterol
- Half the population is overweight
This means that in a room of 10 people, about five of them have hearts, joints and internal organs working beyond their limits—without them even realising it,” PHM explained.
Despite this, many still insist they feel “perfectly fine”, as they can work, drive and laugh normally.
PHM warned that this false sense of normality is dangerous because blood pressure and blood sugar levels often rise silently while blood vessels slowly narrow over time.
Many only discover disease after a heart attack
One of the most worrying patterns, PHM said, is that many Malaysians only visit a doctor when serious symptoms appear.
Some only find out they have had diabetes for years after their first heart attack. Others only go for a check-up when their kidneys start failing or when a doctor tells them, ‘You actually had diabetes for a long time but it was never detected.’”
By the time symptoms show, PHM says a person may still be 40 on paper—but their body is already functioning like someone aged 60.
PHM urges Malaysians to stop waiting for symptoms
PHM is urging the public not to wait for warning signs before taking action. Instead, everyone should go for annual screening that checks:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol
- Body weight
Taking care of your health isn’t about being afraid of death,” PHM wrote.
“It’s about ensuring that in the years ahead, we can still work, raise our children, participate in religious activities and enjoy life—without relying heavily on medications or medical equipment.”
Health experts hope that by sounding the alarm early, more Malaysians will take charge of their health before it’s too late.
