Heart Failure In Singapore

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 heart failure the same as heart attack?

Heart failure and heart attack are not the same, though they are both forms of heart disease.

Heart attacks typically happen suddenly, when the flow of blood to the heart  gets blocked. Deprivation of oxygen then causes heart muscles to die.

Heart failure is usually a gradual process whereby the heart muscle becomes unable to adequately pump blood for the body’s requirements. 

Heart attacks can lead to heart failure.

Can children suffer from heart failure?

While heart failure is often caused by lifestyle habits, it can also affect children. Childhood heart failure is usually caused by congenital heart defects (i.e. heart defects present at birth). Certain medical conditions may also cause children to develop heart defects or cause damage to the child’s heart, resulting in heart failure.