What are the statistics for heart disease in Singapore? How common is it?

According to statistics, 23 people die from cardiovascular disease (heart diseases and stroke) every day in Singapore. Cardiovascular disease was the cause of 31.4% of all deaths in 2022 – i.e. about  1 out of 3 deaths in Singapore is due to heart diseases or stroke.

How can I reduce my risk for heart disease?

Having a healthy diet is a key way of reducing the risk for heart disease. A healthy diet may help to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Tips for a heathy diet:

• Have a diet with more fruits, vegetables,  and whole grains.
• Reduce consumption of trans fats, and swap saturated fats for unsaturated ones.
• Consume lean sources of protein (e.g. chicken and fish), avoiding red meat which are high in fat and cholesterol.
• Take complex carbohydrates like whole-grain bread, rice, and pasta. Reduce consumption of simple carbohydrates like sugar.
• Reduce consumption of sodium / salt. 

Also, you should exercise regularly, and cut smoking to reduce heart disease risks.

What are the common screening tests for heart disease in Singapore?

The most common tests for heart disease screening in Singapore include:

• Chest X-Ray
• Blood Test
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Exercise stress test
• Echocardiogram
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• CT Scan

Is it normal that I notice irregular heartbeat readings sometimes when I take my blood pressure?

Occasional extra heartbeats may be detected by automated blood pressure machines as an irregular heartbeat. Other heart rhythm problems (e.g. atrial fibrillation) may result also in detection of irregular heartbeat.

You should consult your family doctor or a cardiologist for an assessment if you notice irregular heartbeat.

How will heart murmur affect my child as he / she grows up?

Causes of heart murmurs in a child include congenital heart defects such as a hole in the heart, or abnormalities of the valves. Treatment may be needed for these.

A more common cause is flow murmurs, which result from angulation of blood vessels. These are not a concern to the  child’s health.

It is best to have your child’s murmur assessed by a paediatrician.