Heart Disease Treatment in Singapore

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Early detection of heart disease is crucial for effective management and treatment. Various painless tests and procedures can be used to diagnose the condition and determine its severity:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): This test measures the heart's electrical activity to detect abnormalities in rhythm or damage to the heart muscle.
• Echocardiogram: This non-invasive test utilises ultrasound to generate detailed images of the heart and nearby blood vessels, helping to assess their structure and function.
• Stress Test (Exercise or Pharmacological): This test evaluates how the heart responds to stress, either through exercise or medication, to identify potential problems.
• Angiography: This X-ray test involves injecting a contrast dye into the coronary arteries to visualise blockages or narrowing in the arteries.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests help assess cholesterol levels, triglycerides, markers of inflammation, cardiac enzymes, and other substances in the blood that may indicate cardiovascular disease.

Treatment for Heart Disease

Treatment options for heart disease depend on the type of disease and the extent of its progression. Common treatments for heart disease include:

• Medications: These include beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or blood thinners (anticoagulants), which help lower blood pressure, control heart disease symptoms, and reduce complications.
• Angioplasty and Stenting: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a balloon-tipped catheter into a blocked or narrowed arterial wall. This catheter is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow to the heart muscle. In some cases, an expandable metal coil, called a stent, may be placed to prevent the artery from closing or narrowing again after angioplasty.
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): In this procedure, healthy blood vessels are grafted onto the blocked artery to create new pathways for blood flow to the heart. These blood vessels are typically taken from the chest wall and veins in the leg. CABG is performed on patients with severe coronary artery disease to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
• Heart Transplantation: Heart transplantation is a treatment for end-stage heart disease. In this procedure, the patient's diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a donor who has suffered brain death. This improves quality of life but requires lifelong medication to prevent the body from rejecting the transplant.

FAQs About Heart Disease

What heart diseases are commonly inherited?

Some heart conditions can run in families due to inherited genes. These include:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Cardiac amyloidosis
• Heart arrhythmias
• Cardiac tumours
• Heart valve disease
• Marfan syndrome
• Familial hypercholesterolemia

Is it safe to engage in sexual activity if I have heart disease?

Engaging in sexual activity is generally safe for individuals with stable heart disease. However, you should consult a heart specialist before resuming sexual activity if you have unstable angina, severe heart disease symptoms, or recently experienced a heart attack or heart failure.

What heart diseases are common among the elderly?

Common heart diseases associated with ageing include:

• Coronary artery disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Arrhythmias
• Heart valve disease
• Heart attacks

This is due to natural changes in the cardiovascular system and an increased prevalence of risk factors like hypertension and diabetes. Regular medical check-ups and ongoing management are vital in maintaining good cardiovascular health as we age.

Can heart disease during pregnancy affect future pregnancies?

Prior heart disease in pregnancy raises risks for future pregnancies, especially if heart function has not recovered. Speak to your heart specialist about risks and planning for future pregnancies.