Reproductive care is just one part of a woman’s health story. Conditions like heart disease, thyroid issues, and autoimmune disorders often go undetected until they disrupt daily life. Early awareness and routine check-ups can make all the difference.
Many women view health through the lens of fertility, pregnancy, or menopause. But conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis, thyroid issues, and autoimmune disorders are just as important, and often go unnoticed until they affect daily life.
Early symptoms can be vague. Fatigue is easy to dismiss. Hair loss or joint pain might seem normal, but they may signal underlying medical issues. With the right support, these issues can often be managed before they become serious concerns.
At Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre, we believe women’s wellness should be holistic. Looking beyond reproduction to heart, bone, immune, and hormonal health.
1. Heart Health: The Silent Risk for Women
Cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death amongst Malaysian women, over 2.5 times more common than all cancers combined. Yet many remain unaware, often viewing cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a “man’s disease.”
Symptoms in women can be subtle. Instead of chest pain, they may experience fatigue, jaw or neck pain, shortness of breath, or nausea, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Women may face different types of cardiac disorders throughout their lives:
- Coronary Artery Disease due to atherosclerosis or spontaneous coronary artery dissection (which is more prevalent in women of child-bearing age)
- Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy
- Heart Failure due to various causes such as Peripartum cardiomyopathy
- Adult congenital heart disease
- Arrhythmias
- Pulmonary Hypertension
Dr. Prakash M. Chandrakanthan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Sri Kota, urges women to include heart health in their regular check-ups, especially after the age of 40. “Don’t wait for symptoms. Know your numbers, check your blood pressure, and talk to your doctor,” he says.
2. Bone Health: When Density Declines
Strong bones are often taken for granted, until something breaks. Yet bone health is a real concern, especially for women after menopause. In Malaysia, 1 in 4 postmenopausal women has osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile and fracture easily.
Over 77% of cases go undiagnosed due to low awareness and a lack of screening. Bone density declines after age 30 and worsens post-menopause due to hormonal shifts. Women are up to four times more likely than men to be affected.
The good news: calcium-rich foods, vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercises help. For at-risk women, bone scans support early, preventive care.
If you have any concern, do contact us at 03-3375 7799 @ ext 7282
by Dr. Prakash M. Chandrakanthan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist