Heart Information

Our Hearts Are Truly Worth Celebrating

2025/02/04

Our Hearts Are Truly Worth Celebrating

Inspiring more in the community towards better heart health!

PULSE Issue 44 | January 2025

One unforgettable evening, Mr Azmi bin Said's life hung in the balance - until the courage and quick thinking of his family members gave him a second chance in life. The first to notice him in distress, Mr Azmi's wife saw him choking in his sleep and immediately alerted their son Mr Aqil bin Azmi - who quickly recognised the signs of cardiac arrest. As crucial seconds ticked away, Mr Aqil's sister rushed downstairs to retrieve the Automated External Defribrillator (AED) machine.

Keeping his cool despite the nerve-wrecking situation, Mr Azmi's son sprang into action and administered both CPR and the AED machine on his father, all the while carefully monitoring the time and urging his loved ones to call for medical help. CPR was performed for a continuous 15 minutes till the ambulance arrived. In those critical, heart-stopping moments, Mr Aqil and his family's calmness and bravery saved their father's life.

Honouring Strength, Courage and The Human Spirit

Mr Azmi's story is a powerful reminder that cardiac emergencies can strike at any moment, and that anyone, with courage and knowledge, can be the difference between life and death. For his heroic actions, Mr Azmi's son was honoured with the "Inspirational Caregiver Award" by the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) at the World Heart Day community outreach event on Saturday, 21 September 2024.

In partnership with the People's Association (PA) and Senja-Cashew Active Ageing Committee, NUHCS aims to nurture healthier communities by promoting heart-healthy lifestyles and inspiring meaningful change. Through community-based events, they bring heart health closer to residents, encouraging them to take charge of their well-being.

The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Adviser to Holland-Bukit Timah GRC GROs. Over 500 participants attended, engaging in a variety of fun and insightful activities in celebration of World Heart Day.

Mr Azmi's experience highlights the importance of regular health screening and early detection. Identifying potential health issues early allows for timely interventions, which can significantly improve outcomes.

 

In line with Healthier SG initiatives and the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) goals of disease prevention and raising greater awareness, various screening tests were offered at no cost to participants at the event. One such test was the Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening, a simple, non-invasive test that detects abnormal heart rhythms and can help diagnose serious heart conditions.

DID YOU KNOW? Blood clots can also happen in the legs, and not just the heart!

When arteries in the legs become clogged with plaque, it can lead to Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)1, a condition that can result in serious consequences, including limb loss. A common tool used to diagnose PAD, the Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) test which compares the blood pressure in the lower legs with the bloos pressure in the arms, was also made available on site at the event.

 

Complementing these comprehensive screening efforts were educational health talks by our NUHCS medical team, who shared more on lung cancer and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)2 - two leading causes of death in Singapore - including practical insights on treatment and prevention of these conditions.

 

 

1. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): The narrowing or hardening of blood vessels that carry blood to the leg, usually by fatty deposits.

2. Coronary Artery Disease: A condition where the blood supply is insufficient to support the needs of the heart muscle.

 

 


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