The National Heart Institute (IJN) has become the first centre in Asia to receive the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) Centre Accreditation for Cardiovascular Risk Management and Prevention.
The recognition places IJN among an elite group of international institutions meeting rigorous European standards in multidisciplinary expertise, clinical governance, patient care and continuous quality improvement.
IJN said the accreditation validates the comprehensive approach of its Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Clinic, which focuses on early risk assessment, intensive management of risk factors, patient education, lifestyle intervention and long-term preventive care.
The clinic provides personalised treatment plans for conditions including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity, while also supporting patients seeking to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiac events.
Senior consultant cardiologist and clinic lead Datuk Seri Dr Azhari Rosman said cardiovascular disease often develops gradually, with risk factors accumulating long before symptoms appear.
“Through early risk assessment and targeted intervention, we can address the factors contributing to heart disease before patients suffer a heart attack, stroke or other serious complications,” he said.
Preventive care at IJN is delivered by a multidisciplinary team comprising cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, pharmacists and other allied health professionals.
IJN Group Chief Executive Officer Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said the accreditation was a proud achievement for the institution and Malaysia.
“It reflects the dedication of our multidisciplinary teams in delivering preventive cardiovascular care of the highest standard,” he said.
The accreditation also strengthens IJN’s role in education and capacity building. Its risk-reduction clinic serves as the national training hub for Health Ministry family medicine specialists in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Chief clinical officer Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya said the recognition affirmed that IJN’s cardiovascular risk management and prevention services met internationally accepted standards.
For patients, the accreditation provides greater assurance that care, from early risk detection to the prevention of future cardiovascular events, is aligned with global best practices.
