Heart Failure

Heart failure happens when your heart muscles do not pump blood as efficiently as it should. When this happens, blood may become backed up and fluids may build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

The most common cause of heart failure is ischemic heart disease, heart damage caused by narrow heart arteries. However, other factors such as hypertension, heart valve disease and myocarditis, also contribute to its occurrence.

Heart failure may have severe symptoms and life-threatening. Patients suffering from heart failure may need a heart transplant or a device to aid the heart in pumping blood.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of heart failure tend to develop slowly and include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs, ankles
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Wheezing
• Persistent coughing
• Phlegm that is white or pink with spots of blood
• Nausea
• Lack of appetite
• Chest pain

Prevention

Treating and controlling the conditions that may increase your risk of developing heart failure is one way to prevent heart failure. You can also make some heart-healthy lifestyle changes such as:

• Stop smoking, or if you do not smoke, don’t start
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Find ways to manage stress
• Take your medications as directed

Heart Disease: Why It Matters

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease – a term that encompasses all types of heart disease and stroke – is the leading cause of death worldwide. It takes an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, representing 32% of global deaths. Dr. Gerard Leong discusses the ins and outs of heart diseases.

Read the story

Understanding Heart Health: Your Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support

The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body. Located in the chest on the left, the heart pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients.

A healthy heart is essential to good health. In fact, a healthy human heart beats about 100,000 times a day, with an average adult’s heart beating about 60 to 80 times per minute.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a term that houses all conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.

Empowering Yourself with Knowledge

This resource provides information about heart health, including:

• Importance of Heart Health: Understand the importance of maintaining your heart health.
• Common Heart Disease: Learn about the different types of common heart diseases and their characteristics.
• Key Risk Factors: Explore various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that may leave you susceptible to heart disease.
• Ways to Improve Heart Health: Learn about lifestyle factors and preventive measures to minimize your risk of heart disease.

What is Heart Health?

Heart health is the overall well-being of your cardiovascular system, which consists of your heart and blood vessels. It encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and management of conditions that affect the heart and circulatory system, collectively known as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A healthy heart functions to efficiently pump blood throughout your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues. It is important to maintain good heart health for your overall well-being and longevity.

Importance of Heart Health

• CVDs are a leading cause of death globally, making heart health crucial for overall health.
• Poor heart health can lead to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

What Causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease is caused by a complex interplay of factors, including:

• Non-Modifiable Factors: Age, gender, ethnicity, family history, and inherited genetic mutations.
• Modifiable Factors:
  • Lifestyle: Diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
  • Health: Pre-existing conditions (i.e., diabetes), obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol

Symptoms of Heart

Disease Heart disease symptoms vary depending on the type of heart disease. However, some general signs and symptoms include:

• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or light-headedness

Important Note: These symptoms may also be indicative of other health conditions. Speak to our Specialists today for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Common Heart Diseases in Singapore

• Coronary Artery Disease is the most common heart disease and happens due to blockages in your coronary arteries.
• Heart Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats, which can be too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregular.
• Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can lead to serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
• Congenital Heart Disease are heart defects present at birth due to abnormal heart development during pregnancy.
• Heart Failure occurs when the heart muscle is weakened or damaged and can't pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs.

Improving Heart Health

Here are some helpful ways to improve your heart health: