Changing bad lifestyle habits and a good healthy diet is important in preventing heart disease.
Cardiologist Andre Monteiro said exercising every day could also lower the risk.
“Do not consume greasy food and smoke as this can lead to heart attack,” said Monteiro at the National Hospital in Dili.
Although heart disease was a common cause of death in Timor-Leste, he said many people were not aware the risk factors were dangerous as they lacked information.
Coronary artery disease and rheumatic heart disease are both common in Timor-Leste.
Those who receive treatment overseas for the latter range from infants up to adults, he said.
Coronary artery disease is caused by poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and high blood pressure.
Although the National Hospital does not have any accurate data on the prevalence of heart disease, there are currently more than 200 patients receiving regular check-ups.
During the consultation patients are observed taking their medication and have a routine health check.
According to the National Director responsible for hospital equipment, medication and overseas treatment, Horacio Sarmento, most patients transferred abroad for treatment were suffering from heart disease.
“We only have one cardiologist and the equipment is incomplete, therefore the surgery must be done overseas,” he said.
He said the Health Ministry worked closely with four hospitals, including the National University Hospital in Singapore, as well as others in Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said most surgeries performed on heart patients overseas were successful.
More than 370 patients were transferred overseas for treatment last year, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
