​NUHCS Health Screening Carnival 2023

Bringing health screenings right into the heartlands

PULSE Issue 42 | February 2024

The National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) commemorated the annual World Heart Day in September with a Health Screening Carnival, filled with fun games and prizes, held at Yew Tee Community Club in partnership with Limbang constituency and People's Association. Graced by Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Mr Lawrence Wong, the event was attended by over 300 participants who engaged in various fun and insightful activities. In line with the nationwide Healthier SG initiative in driving preventive health, chronic screening tests for high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol were made available at no cost to eligible registered participants to help diagnose for any underlying conditions. 

Event Highlights

As a key event highlight of the NUHCS Health Screening Carnival, painless and non-invasive Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests were also conducted for participants on-site to pick up irregular heart rhythms and allow for early diagnosis of possible heart conditions. 

Did you know that foot ulcers and leg pain during rest can be signs of early Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? Raising awareness of early lower limb PAD whereby symptoms can be easily missed, participants were offered a clinical assessment of their lower limbs and pulse by the podiatrists to help detect any abnormalities. Two engaging themed talks further shone the spotlight on key topics of concern. Sharing about the risk factors of PAD, NUH Senior Podiatrist Ms Thasvhinni Nas, explained the importance of early detection and intervention, in preventing PAD – which is usually caused by plaque build-up in arteries, resulting in un-healed wounds and limbs amputation. As finding time to exercise in our busy lives gets harder, Dr Benjamin Tung, Consultant, Department of Cardiology, NUHCS, shared in his talk on “Exercise and Heart Health” on how a sedentary lifestyle, including prolonged sitting, increases the risk of heart disease by 14% and death by 24%. 

With a growing incidence of out-of-hospital heart attacks over the years, the event also highlighted the role of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in increasing chances of survival in critical situations. Through a live CPR demonstration, the NUHCS team of certified nurses showcased correct techniques for resuscitating victims of breathing and cardiac emergencies. Participants as young as three years old were challenged to carry out hands-on CPR techniques on real-life mannequins, alongside coaching and guidance from the NUHCS nursing team, thus walking away with greater confidence and knowledge in the life-saving skill.

To encourage fellow heart patients with cardiac conditions, Ms Magdalene Chia, programme lead of Caring Hearts Support Group (CHSG), took to the stage to share more about the group’s initiative, where she introduced other CHSG heart warriors who provided support and encouragement to one another on their recovery journeys. A fun yet insightful way to pick up heart health tips, the carnival also saw booths set up in collaboration with various vendors, with attractive highlights including redemption of goodie bags and light snacks for participants who completed their carnival stamp card. Empowered on their health journeys, the event concluded with participants gaining a stronger understanding of how small lifestyle changes and efforts can go a long way in building an active, healthy life. Watch out for more exciting activities by NUHCS when World Heart Day comes around again in 2024!

About World Heart Day 

World Heart Day highlights Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, as the world’s leading causes of death claiming 18.6 million lives a year. It emphasises how at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided by controlling lifestyle risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.