Antithrombotic drugs: The difference between antiplatelets and anticoagulants

A commentary by Professor Tan Huay Cheem, Director, NUHCS, highlighting the key differences between antiplatelets and anticoagulants, which are medicines that can reduce blood clots.  He noted that they come with different side effects and risk of haemorrhage, and patients should heed their physician’s advice when using them.  

We need to find a cure for fake medical news

Prof Tan Huay Cheem, ​Director NUHCS, contributed an article on how physicians, medical experts and scientists need to combat the effects of fake medical news in this era of information overload. He cited an example of a patient who decided to stop taking statin medication without seeking medical advice due to online claims of serious and irreversible side effects. Prof Tan added that transparency and clear communication to patients are critical in maintaining trust between medical professionals and the public. As the epidemic of fake medical news is here to stay, everyone in the medical and healthcare system has a role to play to rein it in.

We need to find a cure for fake medical news

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, ​Director NUHCS, contributed an article on how physicians, medical experts and scientists need to combat the effects of fake medical news in this era of information overload. He cited an example of a patient who decided to stop taking statin medication without seeking medical advice due to online claims of serious and irreversible side effects. Prof Tan added that transparency and clear communication to patients are critical in maintaining trust between medical professionals and the public. As the epidemic of fake medical news is here to stay, everyone in the medical and healthcare system has a role to play to rein it in.

医生：心脏病患染冠病 出现并发症和死亡率较高 (Patients with a history of hearts diseases should take caution against Covid-19 due to higher risks)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem gave expert comments in his capacity as Chairman of Singapore Heart Foundation on how Covid-19 poses a greater risk to patients with heart diseases. He explained that most people with heart conditions are elderly patients and their immunity against Covid-19 is lower compared to others. Singapore reported its first two Covid-19 deaths on 21 March 2020, and both patients had past histories of heart diseases.

两类非寻常的心梗 (Two types of unusual myocardial infarction)

​ZB LOHAS commentary by NUHCS Director Professor Tan Huay Cheem highlighted two uncommon types of myocardial infarction – spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – and their risk factors.  

Online health myths debunked

​Sunday Times feature on the dangers of unverified health “advice” online carried comments by Director/NUHCS Prof Tan Huay Cheem highlighting that people are now inundated with fake medical news. He noted that people tend to believe such online information because of “confirmation bias”, when they selectively search for information that conforms to and supports their existing beliefs. Prof Tan debunked the common false claims about statins and its side effects.

Facilities determine where heart attack victims are taken

​Director of NUHCS Prof Tan Huay Cheem shared that it is not always distance that determines which hospital should treat a patient in a critical condition, but the facilities which offer that patient the best chance of survival. Prof Tan noted that NUH is a high-volume, 24/7 heart attack centre supported by a multidisciplinary cardiology team able to treat the highest-risk patient. This is why NUH and NTFGH have been working with SCDF to have all patients in the western part of Singapore sent directly to NUH. Prof Tan assured that there is no need for concern over the extra distance travelled to NUH as care is not compromised but rather enhanced. 

医生新年乐活大计划：七分饱 + 斤斤计较 (Doctor’s new year resolution: 70% full + keep weight consistent)

​Professor Tan Huay Cheem, NUHCS, shared how he stays fit by exercising regularly to keep his weight consistent and practicing good sleeping habits, as part of his new year health plan.

医学真假信息 (Medical fake and real news)

​Commentary by Director of NUHCS Prof Tan Huay Cheem highlighted that medical fake news is easily propagated by the Internet and social media, which can lead to detrimental outcomes. There is thus an urgent need to curb the spread of medical fake news, through rigorous research, better patient communication by medical practitioners, enhancing transparency with pharmaceutical companies, and by establishing trusted platforms where the public can access medical facts and information. 

• 国大医院与民防部队紧密合作 让心脏病患可更快获救 (Close collaboration between NUH and SCDF enables faster medical response for heart attack patients)

​The Western STEMI Network has steadily reduced the medical response time for heart attack patients, with a median door-to-balloon time of 43 minutes in 2018.  The close collaboration with SCDF enables the heart attack treatment team to be pre-activated prior to the arrival of patients at the hospital. Ch8 News noted Director/NUHCS Prof Tan Huay Cheem’s remarks that with pre-hospital activation through the electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission that is carried out en route in the SCDF ambulance, the treatment team is usually ready before the patient arrives at the hospital.  Reports also highlighted that patients with heart attack symptoms such as chest pain and breathlessness should call 995 emergency services immediately.  

• Channel 8 Hello Singapore, 5 Dec 2019, 6:30pm
  

After Godfrey Gao: How does cardiac arrest happen when someone looks fit?

​Report highlighted that muscle tone is not an accurate indication of good health. Dr Lin Weiqin, Consultant/NUHCS, noted that younger persons who appear slim and toned can have cardiac risk factors not immediately apparent to the untrained eye.  

感冒期间不应运动 (Avoid exercising when nursing a flu)

​Professor Tan Huay Cheem (Director, NUHCS and Senior Consultant, Cardiac Department) shared on the dangers of exercising when nursing a flu, and expert advice on sudden cardiac death.

戒烟出现咳嗽症状是肺清除黏液和痰 (Coughing when quitting smoking is a sign of the lungs clearing mucus and sputum)

​Article quoted expert comments from Professor Tan Huay Cheem (Director, NUHCS) taken off a previous contribution. He had shared that nicotine replacement therapy is safe and effective, and that it would not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Prof Tan also shared tips on other methods to quit smoking, including acupuncture and hypnosis, and said that the role of healthcare workers is crucial in helping smokers quit smoking.

植入心脏监视器 阻止无声杀手 “行凶” (Using Insertable Cardiac Monitors to detect Atrial Fibrillation, a condition that is commonly referred to as a ‘silent killer’)

The Heart Rhythm and Stroke teams at National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) and National University Hospital (NUH) conducted a multidisciplinary, four-year study to better detect Atrial Fibrillation (AF) using Insertable Cardiac Monitors (ICMs) in cryptogenic stroke patients.
 
The study found that ICMs are seven times more effective than traditional methods in detecting AF. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital will be introducing the use of ICMs to detect AF in cryptogenic stroke patients from December 2019.
 
National University Health System (NUHS) also embarked on its first-in-Asia pilot study of a nurse-led, integrated care clinic in the community for AF patients with multiple chronic conditions at Bukit Batok Polyclinic. The clinic helps such patients to monitor their blood pressure and sugar levels, and educates them on managing their weight, diet and lifestyle habits. It gives patients a one-stop location to visit to manage AF and other chronic conditions, reducing cost and time. Till date, the clinic has seen about 80 patients and will expand its operating hours to cope with increased load.

为健康解码的保健飨宴 (Health decoding forum)

​Professor Tan Huay Cheem (Director, NUHCS) was reported to have shared expert advice and debunked myths surrounding heart health, at the ZB lohas health forum that took place on 9 November.