Specialty Clinics
Supporting your health
needs
The INR clinic serves to optimize therapeutic anticoagulation for patients who are on Warfarin.
Anticoagulants, known as blood thinners, such as Warfarin are medications prescribed for the prevention or treatment of blood clots by slowing down the formation of the blood clots due to certain medical conditions or following procedures such as heart valve repair/replacement and Fontal/Bentall procedure.
For patients who are on Warfarin, it is crucial to regularly check and monitor their international normalised ratio (INR) – a test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot. The effects of Warfarin can vary significantly from one individual to another. Careful dosage adjustment is required based on INR, that checks for your response towards Warfarin. The dosage may change after each visit, according to the INR results and patient’s conditions, such as onset of any illnesses, recent hospitalisation, changes in medication or lifestyle changes. Hence regular monitoring is required, as advised by the doctor and INR Clinic staff. INR blood test is offered by IJN Laboratory and same-day dosage adjustment of Warfarin and monitoring is carried out by the INR Clinic staff.
The primary objective of our INR clinic is to provide close monitoring while you are on warfarin therapy and maintaining a balance between preventing blood clot formation and minimizing the risk of bleeding.
Kindly bring along your Warfarin Record Book each time you attend the INR clinic or a doctor’s appointment.
Contact Number & Operating hours
If you have any inquiry related to Warfarin or INR Clinic, kindly contact the number above or email us at heart@ijn.com.my with the following information:
-
- Full Name
- MRN
- NRIC or Passport Number
- Contact Number
- Remarks
To speak to an INR Clinic staff, please call: +603 2617 8483
INR Clinic, Ground floor, Block B
Monday - Friday
7.30am – 5:00 pm
(last appointment for blood test is 4:00pm)
Should you require assistance outside of the regular operating hours, please proceed to the Observation & Emergency (O&E) department to seek necessary help.
*Closed for lunch :
Mon – Thurs: 1.00-2.00pm
Friday: 12.30-2.30pm
QUIT SMOKING CLINIC
Smoking is a well-known cause for a lot of diseases and can shorten lifespan by up to 16 years, yet many people find it difficult to quit smoking. Smoking contributes significantly as a risk factor towards heart and lung disease.
IJN being the premier cardiovascular and thoracic centre made it its responsibility to educate heart patients on the risks involved, complement the patients’ treatment and rehabilitation and help the smokers quit smoking. IJN started its own Quit Smoking Clinic (QSC) in February 2008.
Clinics are conducted by experienced senior nursing professionals from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit supported by Patient Education Unit(PEU). Clients include those referred by doctors or those who themselves are keen to quit smoking and needed assistance to do so.
Service available:
- Carbon Monoxide Analysis (COPPM)
- Tailored and personalised guidance
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy
- Simple exercise and tips to overcome cravings
The Quit Smoking Clinic also undertakes outreach programmes especially when requested by the public and private sector organisations who wish to promote quit smoking amongst their staff or members. Personnel from the Clinic also participates in IJN’s Corporate Social Initiatives CSI programmes in various parts of the country when the Quit Smoking group educates the general public on the risks associated with smoking and how they can quit the habit.
Quit Smoking Clinic Operation Hours
| Operation Day |
Operation Hours |
| Monday – Friday | 8:30am – 4.30pm |
| Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays | Closed |
To make an appointment, please call +603 – 2617 8200
CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REDUCTION CLINIC (CRRC)
The Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Clinic (CRRC) is a specialized clinic dedicated to enhancing the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by utilizing a multidisciplinary approach from various medical fields. Our primary goal is to optimize cardiovascular health by addressing risk factors such as diabetes, lipid disorders, hypertension, and obesity, ultimately preventing cardiovascular events and improving patients’ well-being.
The subspecialized clinic services that we provide include the following:
- Diabetes Lifestyle Clinic
- Lipid Clinic
- Obesity Clinic (Coming Soon)
- Hypertension Clinic (Coming Soon)
Diabetes Lifestyle Clinic
The challenge of diabetes self-care, whether recently diagnosed or a long-term patient, involves various factors like diet, exercise, medication, and blood glucose monitoring. IJN offers support through a diabetes care team, including diabetes educators who aid in comprehending the condition and adopting healthier habits to mitigate complications and enhance overall health.
Diabetes Education
Our diabetes educators are dedicated to helping you easily manage your diabetes.
They will work you to develop a plan to stay healthy, giving you the tools and ongoing support you need throughout this process. With this, you can lower your risk of developing diabetes-related complications and improve your overall health.
Diabetes self-care management consists of several components:
Diabetes Foot Assessment
Diabetes may be harmful to your feet in several ways, causing complications such as:
- Nerve damage – numbness, burning sensation in the feet
- Poor blood circulation – pain in leg muscles when walking
- Foot infections – foot ulcers, blisters, or calluses
Consult your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above. it is also advised to get your feet checked at least once a year.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
CGM is a tool to continuously measures your blood glucose levels over a 14-day period. This gives you and your doctor a better understanding of your blood glucose patterns. From there, we can help you make the appropriate lifestyle and medication adjustments. If you are struggling to keep your diabetes in control, CGM could be eight choice for you.
Lipid Clinic
Lipid clinics focus on cholesterol-related issues, notably elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels that increase cardiovascular risks. Our experienced multidisciplinary team offers personalized treatment strategies, lifestyle support, and medications to mitigate the potential for heart-related complications.
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Clinic (CRRC)
| Clinic Routine |
Operation Time |
| Diabetes Lifestyle Clinic | |
| Diabetes Education (Outpatient) & CGM | Monday to Friday : 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Diabetic Foot Assessment | Every Friday : 08:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Lipid Clinic | Government Clinic
Every Monday & Thursday : 09:00 am – 01:00 pm
Premier Clinic |
| Obesity Clinic | |
03-26178396
heart@ijn.com.my
HEART FAILURE CLINIC
Heart Failure
Heart failure means the heart does not pump as well as it should during each heart beat. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
Malaysia had one of the highest HF prevalence rates in Southeast Asia, with 721 cases per 100,000 persons in 2017, an increase of 7.7% from 669 cases per 100,000 persons in 1990. HF requires frequent hospitalisation and reduces life expectancy and quality of life.
Reference: Ong SC, Low JZ. Financial burden of heart failure in Malaysia: A perspective from the public healthcare system. PLoS One. 2023 Jul 5;18(7): e0288035. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288035. PMID: 37406003; PMCID: PMC10321615.
How common is Heart Failure?
Heart failure becomes more common with increasing age. About 1 in 15 people aged 65-74 years have heart failure. This increases to about 1 in 15 of people aged 75-84 years, and to just over 1 in 7 people aged 85 years and above. It is uncommon in younger people.
Signs and symptom of Heart Failure
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea) on exertion, and sometimes when lying down.
- Reduced ability to exercise.
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinge phlegm.
- Swelling (edema) in legs, ankles, and feet.
- Swelling of the abdomen (ascites).
- Sudden weight gain from fluid retention.
- Lack of appetite and nausea.
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat.
What are the causes of Heart Failure?
Coronary artery disease is the most common cause. In this condition the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced by narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. The heart muscle may then not function as well as normal. Heart failure may develop after a heart attack (myocardial infarction), A heart attack is due to sudden blockage of a coronary artery that results in damage to part of the heart muscle.
Following a heart attack, scar tissue forms in the effected part of the heart muscle, the bigger area the heart attack, the bigger the damage and scarring, and the more likely the function of the heart is affected leading to heart failure.
Various others condition also cause heart failure. For example:
- Disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Severe arrythmias
- Drugs or chemicals that may damage the heart muscle e.g. alcohol excess, cocaine and some type of chemotherapy
- Congenital heart defects
- Viruses
- Diabetes
Can Heart Failure be prevented?
Good blood pressure control is important if a person has high blood pressure. Prevent the development of coronary artery disease and heart attacks by controlling cholesterol levels and avoiding smoking. In patients with coronary artery disease, appropriate treatment can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
If heart attacks occur, early treatment can limit muscle damage and various medications after a heart attack can reduce the development of heart failure.
What is the aim of management for Heart Failure?
- Preventing worsening of Heart Failure.
- Reducing symptoms & hospitalisation due to heart failure and improving the quality of life.
- Improving the survival of patients with heart failure.
What is the outlook (prognosis)
In general, the more severe the heart failure, the worse is the outlook. In many cases the symptoms remain stable for quite sometime (months or years) before deteriorating. In some cases the deterioration is more rapid and eventually leads to death.
Heart failure is a chronic disease needing lifelong management. However with treatment, a failing heart can improve and patients can feel better and live longer.
Treatment and Management of Heart Failure
-
- Diet –
If patients are overweight, they should try to lose weight to reduce the extra burden on their heart. Patients also need to be on fluid restriction and follow a low salt diet. - No Smoking –
The chemicals in tobacco cause blood vessels to narrow (constrict) which can make heart failure worse. Smoking is also likely to make coronary artery disease worse. - Exercise –
For most people with heart failure, regular exercise is advised. - Monitor his weight regularly –
This will let patients know if they are retaining fluid particularly if there is a weight gain of more than 2kg over 1-3 days. - No alcohol –
Do not drink too much or do not drink any alcohol at all.
- Diet –
Other treatment for underlying condition may be advised, for example:
- Treatment to lower blood pressure, if a patient has a high blood pressure.
- Treatment to slow down the progression of coronary artery disease if this the cause of the heart failure, for example lowering a high cholesterol level.
- Coronary artery bypass may be an option in some cases of coronary artery disease.
- Surgery to replace or fix a heart valve, if a damaged heart valve is the cause of the heart failure.
- Heart transplant is an option in some cases with severe heart failure, not responding to the usual treatments.
Do Not Smoke
Exercise Regularly
Healthy Diet
Medical Check Up Minimum Once A Year
Operating Hours & Contact Number
+603 2617 8200
Mon – Fri: 8.30am – 4:30 pm
For assistance outside normal operating hours or to speak to a doctor, please call IJN’s main line at
03-2617 8200 and request our telephonist to page for the Cardiologist on-call.