On 19 September 2026, Gurney Plaza Alfresco came alive with energy, music and plenty of heart as Northern Heart Hospital Penang brought Heartchella 2026 to the community in conjunction with World Heart Day 2026.
So, why Heartchella?
Inspired by a fun Malaysian twist on “Heart Check Lah!”, Heartchella was created to make conversations about heart health feel more approachable, engaging and close to home. It was our way of turning a simple reminder to check your heart into a celebration that everyone could be part of.
From health screenings and CPR demonstrations to fitness challenges, interactive activities and live performances, Heartchella transformed heart health awareness into an experience filled with learning, movement and fun.
More than 700 people joined us throughout the evening, bringing together families, friends, healthcare professionals and members of the community for one shared purpose — to know their hearts better and take simple steps towards better heart health.
More Than a Health Event
Heartchella was created with a simple idea — heart health education does not always have to happen inside a consultation room.
Instead, we brought it outdoors and gave it a Malaysian twist — Heart Check Lah!
Throughout the evening, visitors moved between different activity zones where they could check, learn, move and have fun while discovering more about their cardiovascular health.
Complimentary health checks including blood pressure, glucose and Finger ECG screenings gave participants an opportunity to better understand their basic health indicators.
Technology also took centre stage with the AI Heart Risk Assessment by Dr. Noon by CityMedic, which offered participants a glimpse into how technology can support health risk assessment.
For those ready to get moving, the Cardio Power Bike Challenge by Peak Fitness combined exercise with heart rhythm monitoring, while TAGS Chiropractic & Rehabilitation provided personalised heart exercise prescriptions to help participants better understand exercise suited to their individual needs.
Learning a Skill That Could Save a Life
One of the key highlights of Heartchella was the CPR & AED Hub, conducted together with the Malaysian Red Crescent.
Participants were given the opportunity to learn and practise essential CPR and AED skills through hands-on sessions.
Knowing how to respond during a cardiac emergency can make a critical difference. Through this activity, Heartchella aimed to go beyond raising awareness by equipping members of the community with practical knowledge that could potentially help save a life.
The event also featured our Heart Workshop, where visitors could get a closer look at the tools, devices and technology used in cardiovascular care while learning more about how the heart works.
A Celebration with a Heartbeat
Of course, it would not be Heartchella without some festival energy.
The evening featured performances and activities that kept the atmosphere buzzing, including a drum performance, kids’ dance performance, Body Combat session and a surprise flashmob that brought an unexpected burst of energy to the event.
Families and children also enjoyed the Little Hearts Playground, while visitors tested their luck at the Heart of Fortune Game Booth and captured colourful memories at the AI Snap & Glow Photobooth.
Every activity was designed with the same goal in mind: making conversations about heart health easier, friendlier and more engaging.
Heart Health Made Fun for the Little Ones
Heartchella was not just for the grown-ups, our little visitors had plenty to explore too!
Families enjoyed fun and interactive activities throughout the evening, including the AI Snap & Glow Photobooth, where they could capture playful Heartchella moments together.
Adding even more personality to the celebration was our very own Jimmy Jantung, who became a special feature of Heartchella. From photo opportunities to cheerful interactions with the crowd, Jimmy helped make learning about the heart more approachable and exciting for children.
By bringing together creativity, technology and play, Heartchella created a family-friendly environment where children could have fun while being introduced to the importance of caring for their hearts from a young age.
Celebrating World Heart Day Together
A special moment of the evening was the official World Heart Day celebration, bringing together healthcare leaders, community partners and invited guests in support of greater cardiovascular awareness.
We were honoured to welcome distinguished guests including YB Daniel Gooi, Penang State EXCO for Youth, Sports and Health; YB Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera, Penang; Dr. Goh Hin Kwang, Director of Hospital Pulau Pinang; and Dr. Shameni, Director of Hospital Seberang Jaya.
Joining them were Ms. Kelen Leong, Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Tan Chiang Soo, Person-in-Charge of Northern Heart Hospital Penang; Ms. Katrina Felix, General Manager, together with the Northern Heart Hospital Penang team.
The celebration reflected a shared commitment across healthcare and the wider community to encourage prevention, early detection and greater awareness of cardiovascular disease.
Heartbeats of Penang: Giving Back to the Community
Beyond the festivities, Heartchella also highlighted a cause close to our hearts — Heartbeats of Penang, Northern Heart Hospital Penang’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
The programme reflects our commitment to extending cardiovascular care to those in need and supporting eligible patients in accessing life-saving cardiac treatment.
Heartchella gave us an opportunity not only to talk about prevention, but also to remind the community that behind every heartbeat is a person, a family and a story worth protecting.
Games, Giveaways and RM10,000 Worth of Prizes
The excitement continued throughout the evening with interactive games and giveaways.
Visitors participated in Snap, Like, Follow & Win and Play & Win with MC, with Decathlon gift cards up for grabs.
Participants who completed activities around Heartchella also collected stamps, turning their journey through the event into a fun challenge while learning something new at every stop.
And then came one of the most anticipated moments of the night — the Heartchella Lucky Draw.
With a total prize pool worth approximately RM10,000, lucky participants walked away with exciting prizes, bringing Heartchella to a celebratory close.
Made Possible by Our Partners and Sponsors
Heartchella would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of our sponsors, partners, exhibitors and participating organisations.
We extend our appreciation to Nuvagen, Innoquest, CityMedic, Boehringer Ingelheim, TAGS Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, Peak Fitness, HKL, LACMED, Hong Leong Assurance, Gae Kwong Electrical Engineering, G Hotel, St. Giles Wembley Penang, Eastern & Oriental Hotel, PARKROYAL Penang Resort, Perdana Kuala Lumpur City Centre, The George Penang, Eastin Hotel Penang, Sand Wish, Nando’s, Utoo Boho Cafe Patisserie, Yogood, G2 and Rainbow Harmony, as well as all other partners who contributed to the success of the event.
We are also grateful to Gurney Plaza, our venue partner, for providing the space for us to bring Heartchella into the heart of the community.
From healthcare education and technology to fitness, hospitality, food and giveaways, every contribution helped us create a richer experience for everyone who attended.
More Than 700 Heartbeats, One Community
As the evening came to an end, Heartchella left us with more than photographs, prizes and memories.
It reminded us that heart health belongs to everyone.
Whether it was someone checking their blood pressure for the first time, learning CPR, discovering their heart rhythm through a Finger ECG, getting active on the cardio bike or simply bringing their children along to learn about the heart, every small action mattered.
At Northern Heart Hospital Penang, Restoring Rhythm of Life is more than our tagline. As a dedicated cardiac and vascular specialist hospital in the Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia, we remain committed to making cardiovascular education, prevention, early detection and specialised care more accessible to the community.
Until the Next Beat
To the 700+ attendees who joined us, our volunteers, healthcare professionals, performers, partners, sponsors and everyone working behind the scenes — thank you for making Heartchella 2026 possible.
You came to check your heart.
You learned how to protect it.
You moved, played, laughed and celebrated with us.
And together, we gave World Heart Day 2026 a heartbeat of its own.
Heartchella 2026 may be over, but the journey towards a healthier heart continues.
Stay connected with Northern Heart Hospital Penang for upcoming community health programmes, screenings and events.
Until the next beat. ❤️
