The HEARTWork Series is a dedicated workplace wellbeing programme by Northern Heart Hospital Penang, designed to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and corporate safety. By focusing on heart health awareness, prevention, and emergency readiness, the series empowers employers and employees to build a safer, more heart-conscious culture.
As part of this ongoing initiative, Northern Heart Hospital Penang recently hosted its latest session: Advancing Workplace Wellbeing: From Cardiac Risk to Emergency Preparedness. The event brought together HR professionals, safety teams, and corporate leaders to explore how timely medical attention and the right referral destinations can save lives when every minute matters.
Expert Insights: Managing Risk in High-Stress Environments
The clinical session opened with Dr. Chen Lean Seng, Consultant Cardiologist, who addressed the unique challenges of managing cardiac risks in high-pressure work environments. Dr. Chen highlighted that workplace wellbeing goes beyond general health; it requires a deep understanding of how lifestyle and occupational stress intersect.
He emphasised the “red flags” that demand immediate action:
- Chest tightness or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Radiating pain (to the arm, jaw, neck, or back)
- Sudden, unexplained sweating
The Expertise Factor:
Dr. Chen noted that while family history is a fixed variable, manageable risks like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are where preventive action yields the highest ROI for workforce longevity.
The Ergonomic Connection to Cardiac Health
Broadening the scope of traditional cardiology, YM Dr. Raja Ahmad Nizar, Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist from TAGS Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, discussed how the physical “mechanics” of work influence cardiovascular burden. He identified several under-recognised contributors to heart health:
- Prolonged Sedentary Behavior: The hidden risks of sitting for extended periods.
- Poor Posture and Ergonomics: How work environments affect long-term physical strain.
- Functional Readiness: The role of integrated recovery and stress regulation in maintaining heart health.
His session encouraged workplaces to look beyond traditional risk factors and consider a more holistic approach that includes movement and ergonomic optimisation.
Emergency Response: The “Golden Minutes”
Dr. Srimoyi Bhattacharjee, Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Department, transitioned the theory into practical workplace action. Because coworkers are often the first on the scene, their response in the first few minutes is critical.
Through common workplace scenarios, including cardiac arrest, stroke, seizure, and severe bleeding, Dr. Srimoyi outlined a simple but life-saving protocol:
- Stay Calm & Recognise: Identify the early warning signs of a medical crisis.
- Alert: Immediately call 999.
- Act: Start basic care and utilise an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available.
“Doing something is better than doing nothing,” Dr. Srimoyi reinforced.
With basic knowledge, simple actions like starting CPR or calling 999 can make a meaningful difference.
Hands-On Readiness: From Awareness to Action
To ensure participants left with more than just theoretical knowledge, the event featured on-ground activities, including Finger ECG screenings and live CPR & AED demonstrations. These practical sessions are designed to remove the fear factor of emergency response, ensuring that when a crisis occurs, the response is instinctive and confident.
Through the HEARTWork Series, Northern Heart Hospital Penang continues to support organisations in fostering a culture where heart health and emergency readiness are part of everyday workplace life.
Because a healthy workplace starts with understanding, preparation, and timely action.
Stay tuned to our event page for details on our next session, as we continue working with organisations to advance workplace wellbeing from awareness to action.
