冠病长期后遗症 (Long-term sequelae of COVID-19)

​Commentary by Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore highlighted that since the beginning of the pandemic, many experts have noticed that COVID-19 survivors may suffer from the long-term sequelae of COVID-19. Prof Tan said that there was a good reason to believe that, like influenza, coronavirus infection could increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and death after 30 days.

何谓扩张型心肌病? (What is dilated cardiomyopathy?)

​Commentary by Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore highlighted that dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart, usually the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened. He explained that this disease is difficult to treat, and mostly occurs in males and people between the ages of 30 and 60.

顺手拿酱料 习惯成自然？(Taking sauces when buying food – a matter of habit?)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore highlighted that processed and preserved food tend to have high sodium concentration. For patients suffering from kidney failure, consuming food high in sodium concentration may result in them going into a state of oedema. For patients suffering from heart failure, consuming too much high sodium food will also worsen their condition. 

Risk of heart inflammation after Covid-19 shots very low: Study

A new study by National University Heart Centre Singapore (NUHCS), National University Hospital (NUH) and NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine researchers found that the overall risk of heart inflammation (myopericarditis) following COVID-19 vaccination has been found to be very low, affecting just 18 people per million vaccine doses. The study, which was published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, confirms that the risk of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination is comparable to or lower than the risk following non-COVID-19 vaccinations.

Reports noted the study was led by researchers including Dr Kollengode Ramanathan, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, NUHCS, Dr Somani Jyoti and Prof Dale Fisher, senior consultants at the Division of Infectious Disease, NUH, as well as Mr Ryan Ruiyang Ling from NUS Medicine.

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Myopericarditis risk after Covid-19 vaccination is low according to International study

Are you a chronic snorer at night? Snoring keeping you awake?

​Cardio-sleep specialist Prof Ronald Lee Chi Hang, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, said obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can lead to heart disease, stroke and metabolic disease when left undiagnosed and untreated. An National University Health System study found that almost one in three Singaporeans suffer from OSA. Middle-aged men and those who are overweight are particularly susceptible to developing OSA. National University Hospital is conducting a research project for people who snore at night and have high blood pressure. A sleep study will be provided to participants and those diagnosed with OSA will be offered treatment by a team of specialists.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 18 March 2022, Page 6, 阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停 打鼾是明显症状 (Snoring is a clear symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea)
• Lianhe Zaobao, 18 March 2022, Page 13, 打鼾影响睡眠? (Does snoring affect sleep?)

Do not let anxiety hurt your heart

​The Straits Times quoted Asst Prof Seow Swee Chong, Senior Consultant and Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, who shared that he saw a 10 to 20 per cent rise in patients who reported heart palpitations last year compared to 2020. He said that apart from stress and anxiety, palpitations can occur more frequently when a person is sick or worried about his health. He also explained that a vaccine serves to stimulate the immune response and may cause upheaval in the body, including fever, inflammation and body ache. The body then responds with the heart beating faster and harder which may be interpreted as “palpitations”.

Amid popularity of HIIT workouts, doctors' advice is to know body's limits

​Commenting on High Intensity Interval Training sessions, Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, said that one needs to have some baseline fitness level before engaging in such high-intensity workouts. He cautioned that group dynamics may sometimes cause people to exercise beyond their usual limits.

High cholesterol levels: Why taking your medicine diligently is more effective than changing your diet

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, commented on how medicines work for patients with high cholesterol levels and addressed some common misconceptions about statins.  He explained statins are most effective at lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, but they also help to lower triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. He added that a new class of injectables have emerged in recent years to provide an alternative for patients who are unable to achieve their targeted cholesterol levels, who are statin intolerant, or unable to adhere to regular therapies.

肺积水 – 留意心脏瓣膜病症 (Fluid in the lungs – look out for symptoms of heart valve disease)

​Asst Prof Yeo Tee Joo, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore addressed questions on the buildup of fluids in the lungs. He explained that doctors will generally first expel excess water from a patient’s body to reduce the burden on the lungs and heart. However, this is not a cure and patient should consult their doctors on the treatment plan.

风湿性心脏病与怀孕 (Rheumatic heart disease and pregnancy)

​Commentary by A/Prof Ronald Lee, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, highlighted his experience treating a patient who was suffering from rheumatic heart disease leading to mitral valve stenosis. A/Prof Lee noted that there are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of rheumatic heart disease, but later, due to impaired cardiac function, patients can experience breathing difficulties, palpitations and fatigue.

Health Matters - Broken Heart Syndrome

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore, and Chairman, Singapore Heart Foundation, explained that takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a sudden stress-induced condition that causes temporary loss of function of the left heart ventricle. A rare condition, it is mostly triggered by severe emotional or physical stress. Induced symptoms may be similar to a heart attack and may be fatal. 

感谢国大医院医务人员仁心仁术 (Letter: Thanks to the benevolent NUH healthcare staff)

​In a letter to Zaobao Forum, Ms Ang Geok Lan shared that her eldest brother had been admitted to National University Hospital since July 2021 and passed away on 30 January 2022. On behalf of her family, Ms Ang expressed her deepest gratitude towards all the healthcare staff who had taken care of her brother, especially Dr Ng Jun Jie, Consultant, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, who was the patient’s attending physician. Ms Ang shared that Dr Ng would always take the trouble to communicate with the family. When her brother would rather die than undergo an operation to amputate his leg as a result of his diabetic wound, Dr Ng never gave up. He tried different treatments and managed to save the patient’s leg. Ms Ang commented that Dr Ng is a role model, exemplifying the value of benevolence in healthcare workers.

‘Like water pressing on me’: Double blow for woman, 40, who has heart failure after near-fatal heart attack

​Dr Lin Weiqin, Consultant and Clinical Director, Heart Failure Programme, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, explained misconceptions about heart diseases and symptoms that may lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. For example, it is not uncommon for women to attribute symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath, lethargy, effort intolerance and leg swelling to menopause or a hormonal imbalance.

High cholesterol in the genes - Her heart stopped at 41

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, shared familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that affects the body's ability to manage cholesterol.  He added that there are many available treatments for the condition and early diagnosis is important, as is family screening to identify others who may have inherited it. 

National University Heart Centre Singapore patient Ms Linbert Lim, who inherited the genetic condition, shared her patient journey highlighting her cardiac arrest at the age of 41.