心房颤动的警号 (Warning signs of atrial fibrillation)

​Asst Prof Yeo Tee Joo, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Health Centre Singapore, shared that statistics would show a higher number of people suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF) now due to greater awareness and testing. More patients are also susceptible to the condition because of various diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary artery disease, among others. He added that those with a family history of AF are at higher risk of developing the condition.

Do you need smart gadgets?

​Experts weigh in on the pros and cons of personal care gadgets with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Dr Lim Su Lin, Head and Chief Dietitian at the National University Hospital’s Department of Dietetics, said AI bathroom scales should be tailored to assess a user’s behaviour and activity level. A/Prof James Yip, Director and Senior Consultant at National University Heart Centre Singapore and Head of the Academic Informatics Office at National University Health System, said that a weight-management programme also needs to consider data points about exercise, sleep, diet and general well-being. 

• ST Online, 25 January 2023, The Bottom Line: Do you need a smart toothbrush?
  

过年控制胆固醇 饮食有节细嚼慢咽 (Control cholesterol during CNY with moderate eating and proper chewing)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore, noted that after festive occasions, blood cholesterol levels in patients seeking medical attention could rise by up to 15% as increased sugar and salt intake, and consumption of high caloric food as well as lack of exercise are all common during the festive season. Prof Tan advised patients to make conscious food choices, especially for people with chronic diseases or a history of cardiovascular disease.

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 24 January 2023, 过年控制胆固醇 饮食有节细嚼慢咽 (Control cholesterol during CNY with moderate eating and proper chewing)
  

健康娜件事: 高胆固醇 (Anna Health: High blood cholesterol)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, discussed high blood cholesterol, the importance of managing blood cholesterol levels and misconceptions on the topic.

Sudden deaths: Why do seemingly fit and healthy people die for no apparent reason?

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, and Dr Rajesh Dharmaraj, Head of Division and Senior Consultant, Vascular Surgery, Department of Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, shared some of the possible reasons for sudden deaths. These include heart attack, myocarditis, arrhythmias, stroke, aortic dissection, and a ruptured aneurysm of the artery, among other reasons.

Channel NewsAsia also highlighted that male smokers above 65 with coronary artery disease can email National University Heart Centre Singapore to express their interest to participate in Singapore's first large-scale aortic screening programme. The National  University Heart Centre Singapore team is on the lookout for 1,000 participants to help them gain insights into the necessity for aortic screening for this population.

病患可预先登记预约无须排队 (Patients can register for appointments without queuing)

​Responding to a forum letter (Seating should be provided at the entrance of National University Heart Centre Singapore clinic, 4 Jan), Mr Tan Teck Chong, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, National University Heart Centre Singapore, explained that the area outside the third floor clinic is a linkway bridge that has to be kept clear for the transport of patients in trolley beds or wheelchairs. It also serves as an emergency escape route. Mr Tan added that setting up seats by the bridge is inappropriate as it poses a fall risk for some visitors, such as young children. He encouraged patients to use the OneNUHS app and nearby self-service kiosks to register for appointments, and assured patients with appointments that they will be seen based on their appointment timings and they need not queue physically.

术前预防性抗生素治疗 减少心内膜炎发生 (Pre-operative prophylactic antibiotic therapy prevents incidence of endocarditis)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, shared in a commentary that the incidence of endocarditis is increasing significantly with the ageing population, with an annual incidence of between 3 and 10 cases per 100,000 people. It is also characterised clinically by rapid progression, difficulty in treatment, and high hospitalisation and mortality rates. Prof Tan shared that endocarditis can be prevented when patients with heart issues consult their doctors and get administered with standardised prophylactic antibiotics before dental procedures that have higher risk of infection.

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 10 January 2023, 术前预防性抗生素治疗 减少心内膜炎发生(Pre-operative prophylactic antibiotic therapy prevents incidence of endocarditis)

警讯不容忽视 一背子的痛 (Back pain: A warning sign not to be overlooked)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, said a common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina pectoris, while back pain is an atypical presentation. He elaborated on how symptoms differ for thoracic aortic aneurysm and abdominal aortic aneurysm, the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in men and women, and the 80 per cent death rate if aneurysms rupture. 

Body SOS 小毛病大问题 (S11 Episode 28)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, said abdominal bloating could be a symptom of myocardial infarction, though it is an atypical presentation. He debunked the myth that Fridays are the peak incidence of heart attacks and that fish oil can prevent heart attacks. 

NUHCS to provide first large-scale aortic screening programme

​Aortic aneurysms are uncommon but potentially fatal, with men over the age of 65 at the highest risk of developing them. To raise awareness on the early detection of aortic conditions and reduce sudden deaths as a result of such conditions, National University Heart Centre Singapore launched Singapore's first large-scale aortic screening programme. Headed by Dr Rajesh Dharmaraj, Head of Division and Senior Consultant, Vascular Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, the programme offers 1,000 male smokers above the age of 65 with existing coronary artery disease a complimentary ultrasound scan of the aorta.

Media quoted Dr Rajesh Dharmaraj; A/Prof James Yip, Director of National University Heart Centre Singapore; Dr Peter Chang, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore; and Dr Pravin Lingam, Consultant, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, on the importance of aortic screening.

Reports also featured Mr Donald Teo, a smoker who suffered from a ruptured aortic aneurysm and underwent two surgeries at National University Heart Centre Singapore. He has since made a full recovery.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 23 December 2022, Page 5, 国大心脏中心将展开主动脉检测计划 (NUHCS to provide complimentary screenings for aortic conditions)
  
• Shin Min Daily News, 22 December 2022, Page 6, 主动脉瘤破裂装血管支架保命 (Man who seeks treatment for back pain discovers ruptured aortic aneurysm; survives with stent)
  
• 8world, 22 December 2022, 国大心脏中心将展开本地首个大规模主动脉瘤检验计划 (NUHCS to launch Singapore's first large-scale aortic screening programme)
  

国大对长跑运动员展开长期调查 以改善心脏代谢疾病检测 (NUS launches long-term study on long-distance runners to improve cardio-metabolic disease detection)

​While high-performing athletes appear to be healthy, they may have cardio-metabolic disease that could cause them to collapse any time. NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUSMed) is conducting a long-term study on long-distance runners with IRONMAN Group to understand and improve detection of cardio-metabolic disease. Led by Principal Investigator Prof Roger Foo, the research team will study people of different physical conditions.  Study co-lead Dr Yeo Tee Joo, Assistant Professor at NUSMed Department of Medicine, and Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at National University Heart Centre Singapore, hopes that the team will understand better the link between sports and cardio-metabolic diseases, and develop more effective prevention and treatment methods. 

调节压力情绪稳定 减少心律不齐发作 (Regulating stress and emotional stability could reduce arrhythmia attacks)

​In a commentary on arrhythmia, Dr Peter Chang, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, shared more about common arrhythmias and the consequences of severe attacks. He recommended ways to improve, prevent and control the condition, from adjusting daily habits to medication and surgical procedures.

Rediscovering the heart

​Channel NewsAsia Insider featured the work of doctors and scientists at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and National University Heart Centre Singapore on the cutting edge of cardiovascular research. It highlighted innovative ways to track disease risks and progression, treat heart diseases and other associated health problems, as well as reverse their progression.

Can we wish away high cholesterol with only medication?

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman, Singapore Heart Foundation, and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore, shared about the causes of high cholesterol as well as the lifestyle changes that one can adopt to prevent and manage high cholesterol. He said that people cannot rely on medications alone to manage the condition effectively without making lifestyle changes.

Teen on life support for over 2 months after knee pain worsens

Prominent media reports highlighted how an 18-year-old teen, Dante Lin, was saved by the National University Heart Centre, Singapore and National University Hospital team after over 60 days on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) due to septic knee infection. Reports emphasised that the highly specialised and complex ECMO life support had been crucial to the patient’s survival, and that saving his life involved a multidisciplinary effort from specialists in the various fields, including the ICU physicians and nurses, cardiothoracic surgeons, orthopaedic specialists and infectious diseases experts. A/Prof Graeme MacLaren, Director of the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) and Dante’s primary doctor, explained that the use of ECMO in septic shock cases was extremely rare, even in the world’s busiest ECMO centres.

Straits Times (ST) and various media quoted Dante’s mother, Mrs Amy Lin, as saying that “the whole medical team gave [her] a lot of hope, despite being very honest about [her] son’s condition”, and that she was “grateful to have met an excellent healthcare team” who helped her overcome those challenging months. 

ST and 8world News also noted A/Prof MacLaren was the chief editor of the latest edition of Extracorporeal Life Support: The ELSO Red Book, which is the definitive reference text on ECMO.