Nestlé Omega Plus Brings Heart Health Awareness and 10,000 Screenings to Young Malaysians

In conjunction with World Heart Month, Nestlé Omega Plus is stepping up its efforts to encourage young Malaysians to pay closer attention to their heart health.

Supporting the World Heart Federation’s 2026 theme, “Don’t Miss A Beat”, Nestlé Omega Plus is working alongside its long-standing collaborators, Yayasan Jantung Malaysia (YJM) and Institut Jantung Negara Foundation (IJNF), to bring heart-health education, preventive support and 10,000 health screenings to more Malaysians.

This year, Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) is also joining the initiative, helping extend the programme’s reach to young adults within its community.

The goal is simple: encourage Malaysians to understand their health numbers, recognise potential risks earlier and build healthier habits before health problems become more serious.

Heart Health Is Not Just an Issue for Older Adults

Heart disease is often associated with older adults, but cardiovascular risk factors can develop much earlier in life and may remain unnoticed for years.

According to Dr Fa’iz Mashood, Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at Institut Jantung Negara, the findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 highlight a worrying gap in health awareness among Malaysians.

An estimated 95% of raised cholesterol cases, 80% of hypertension cases and 84% of diabetes cases among young Malaysians remain undiagnosed.

The survey also found that two in five Malaysian adults had not undergone a health screening in the previous year, often because they did not experience any symptoms.

This is why regular health screening can be important. Knowing your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels may help identify potential risks that are not always immediately visible.

However, screening is only part of the bigger picture. Long-term heart health is also shaped by the choices we make every day.

Small Everyday Habits Can Support Long-Term Heart Health

Healthy eating and regular physical activity remain important parts of maintaining overall cardiovascular health.

Ms Foong Pui Hing, Senior Principal Dietitian at Institut Jantung Negara, highlighted the importance of making nutritious food choices consistently rather than treating healthy eating as a short-term goal.

A balanced diet that includes fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and unsaturated oils can support heart health, while highly processed foods should be limited as part of a healthier overall lifestyle.

Combined with staying active and maintaining sustainable daily habits, these choices can help Malaysians take a more proactive approach towards their long-term wellbeing.

Building on Nearly 100,000 Health Screenings

The latest initiative builds on Nestlé Omega Plus’ ongoing commitment to heart-health awareness and prevention in Malaysia.

Through its annual Nestlé Omega Plus Walk A Million Miles campaign and continued collaboration with YJM and IJNF, the programme supported 98,593 health screenings in 2025.

Nestlé Omega Plus is now aiming to expand its screening efforts further and double its screening reach by 2027.

As part of its continued support, Nestlé Omega Plus will also maintain its annual contribution of RM100,000 each to YJM and IJNF, helping the two organisations expand their heart-health education, outreach and screening initiatives.

Dato’ Dr Aljafri Abdul Majid, Chairman of Yayasan Jantung Malaysia, said Nestlé Omega Plus has been an important partner in helping advance heart-health awareness and encouraging Malaysians to better understand their cardiovascular risks.

Toh Puan Hajjah Aishah Ong, Chairman of Institut Jantung Negara Foundation, also highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in extending the reach of education and screening programmes and helping more Malaysians take proactive steps towards better heart health.

Nestlé Introduces Omega Gold UHT for Adults on the Go

Alongside its education and screening initiatives, Nestlé Omega Plus is expanding its heart-health product portfolio with the introduction of Nestlé Omega Gold UHT.

Designed for working and on-the-go adults, the convenient UHT drink contains 1.2g of plant sterol ActiCol, which helps lower cholesterol when consumed as recommended as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

It also contains potassium to support normal blood pressure and inulin to support good blood glucose control.

The new product is part of Nestlé Omega Plus’ wider effort to provide practical options that can be incorporated into everyday routines.

Walk A Million Miles Returns for 2026

The Nestlé Omega Plus Walk A Million Miles 2026 campaign officially brings together the brand’s focus on physical activity, health awareness and preventive care.

The media launch at MyTOWN Kuala Lumpur features a healthcare forum based on the “Don’t Miss A Beat” theme, alongside health screenings, educational activities and a pledge platform for Malaysians.

PTPTN will also be present with a dedicated booth, creating another opportunity to engage young Malaysians and encourage greater awareness of heart health.

Building on the momentum of the previous year, the Walk A Million Miles virtual challenge will run from 1 September to 31 October 2026, while the physical walk will take place on 19 September 2026 in Putrajaya.

As Malaysia marks World Heart Month, the campaign serves as a reminder that looking after your heart should not start only when something feels wrong. Understanding your health, getting screened and making healthier choices today could be an important step towards protecting your wellbeing for the future.