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.

Health Check Podcast: Why women need to watch out for heart disease

​Dr Low Ting Ting (Consultant, Department of Cardiology, NUHCS) talked about why women need to watch out for cardiovascular disease – it is the top killer of women with a mortality rate of 1 in 3 women. In 2017, CV disease accounted for some 2700 women deaths, 8 times more than breast cancer deaths. Dr Low pointed out that while early CV disease is preventable, the risk of CV disease remains very much underappreciated. She urged women to modify their risk factors and take active steps to protect their heart health.  

心梗合并心源性休克：致命性并发症 (Myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock: Fatal complications)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Director, NUHCS, contributed a piece talking about Myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock, its complications and treatment.

Tiny device detects heart problems, alerts doc immediately

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. The clinic is expanding its operating hours to cope with increased load.

National University Health System (NUHS)’s multi-disciplinary team study on 205 patients over four years, saw early detection of Heart Rhythm Disorder – a major cause of Fatal Stroke

陈淮沁教授: 别轻信网上假医药讯息 （Professor Tan Huay Cheem: Beware of fake medical news online）

​Professor Tan Huay Cheem (Director, National University Heart Centre, Singapore) cautioned readers about the danger of referring to ‘medical information’ and myths from unofficial sources online, and advised on the importance of consulting a doctor for health concerns and complying with medication prescribed. This article, published ahead of Zaobao Lohas Mega Health Seminar, shared that Professor Tan will be sharing more about this topic at the event.

When your heart fails, you will not walk alone

​Dr Lin Weiqin, Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, contributed an article about managing heart failure. Pointing out it is a growing epidemic, he noted that it is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions in Singapore and added that there is no single test to allow doctors to make the diagnosis of heart failure in insolation. He referenced a patient with severe heart failure who is managing his condition with medical therapy and the help of a multi-disciplinary heart failure team.