Many of us go through life without seeing an actual human heart – that is a fact.This is understandable because the heart is hidden inside the body (for perfectly good reasons) and not everyone has free access to this organ (unless you are working in the medical field!).But believe it or not, there are a lot more people who are unaware of the tell-tale signs that the heart gives when it is in trouble. Worse, some people go to a facility like Cadence Heart Centre, a heart clinic in Mount Elizabeth, a little bit too late – when the symptoms have progressed into something more fatal. If you are reading this now, do continue, as the information below might just be exactly what you need!
The heart is a very important part of the body, and it deserves all the TLC that you can give. To help you achieve success in doing that, this article will tackle three questions:
- What does the heart do? And why do I need to take care of it?
- Why should I visit a heart clinic in Singapore?
- How do I take good care of my heart?
The heart – what it does and why you should take care of it
What we know about the heart comes from what we’ve learned at school.
We all know that the heart is a muscular organ that is roughly the size of an adult fist, and it is located on the left side of the breast cavity. We are aware that the heart is a key part of the cardiovascular system, as it is the sole organ that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body via a complex network of veins and arteries called the circulatory system. It was also taught in schools that blood is not just the red liquid that gushes out of the surface of the skin when we get a cut, slash, or wound. The blood that the heart produces can carry oxygen from our lungs, bring nutrients to the tissues, and at the same time, take carbon dioxide and other waste products away from the tissues. In short, the heart and the blood that it pumps are essential to sustain life.
This, in a nutshell, is why we need to take good care of the heart. Our very life depends on it, literally and figuratively. The heart is an amazing organ that tirelessly keeps us alive – if it stops beating or is ill, life would not be the same as we know it, and that is not an exaggeration. A weak or diseased heart will need constant medical attention, medication, or even surgery to function properly, so it is crucial that pay attention to the signs that tell if the heart is not in its best shape!
Reasons Why You Should Visit a Heart Clinic in Singapore
There is no telling when the heart chooses to give up; it can happen slowly or in a blink of an eye. Sometimes, a heart ailment can start from childhood while in other cases, it is acquired as a result of poor health habits and lifestyle.
Mount Elizabeth Heart Clinic in Singapore is one of the reputable facilities that you can visit if you experience any of the following signs:
- Pain in the chest – It is easy to dismiss chest pain as a sign of fatigue or stress, but not many are aware that it is one of the primary signs of an underlying heart problem. While it is also true that not all chest pain is related to the heart, any pressure or painful sensation that you worsen over time should be a cause of concern, as it can be the body’s way of saying that the heart is not getting an ample supply of blood. It can also be a sign of a heart attack, which is needless to say, a potentially deadly situation. If you or someone you know is having chest pains, it is imperative that you urgently consult with a doctor and seek opinion about getting a heart screening and comprehensive diagnosis.
- You have high blood pressure – A person with high blood pressure is at high risk for serious complications such as stroke and heart attack, so you need to get it under control. It is always good to practice preventative care so if you are 20 and above, consider getting regular blood pressure checks to monitor your numbers.
- You experience dizziness, palpitations, or shortness of breath – These three are common symptoms of more serious problems like coronary artery disease or abnormal heart rhythm/heart murmur.
- Has a family history of heart disease/s – Unfortunately, heart problems can be passed from one generation to the next. If you recognize a pattern of heart disease (for example, high blood pressure or high cholesterol) among several family members, or if you have a relative who has been diagnosed with early-onset heart disease (65 is the median age for women and below 55 for men), you should book an appointment with a cardiologist at the earliest time possible. The cardiologist will conduct test/s to identify how it will impact your risk and they can also prescribe preventative methods.
- You are diabetic – When left unchecked, diabetes can lead to cardiovascular problems. As the blood sugar fluctuates, the heart and the blood vessels get affected, and this heightens the risk for developing coronary artery disease. Before this happens, you need to talk with your primary care physician, who will refer you to a cardiologist, so that they can determine the treatment and care plan that will help lower your risk.
So, lastly: how do I take care of my heart?
Studies show that people who follow a low-sodium and low-fat diet, exercise regularly, and do not smoke and drink have a lower risk of developing heart disease compared to those who do the opposite. It’s as simple as that – if you want to live longer, you have got to take good care of your body. It is a matter of being mindful of what you eat, engaging in physical activity, and avoiding smoking and alcohol (throw in ‘getting enough sleep’ in there, too), and you’re good! Anyone can do that if they try hard enough.
If lifestyle changes will not suffice, speak to your cardiologist about medications or cardiac procedures that can help manage your condition. At the Cadence Heart Centre in Singapore, we have our lines open for you. You can contact us via mobile, landline, or email for questions about heart health matters, and we will be more than happy to give you the advice that you need.
Cadence Heart – Cardiologist & Cardiac Electrophysiologist in Singapore, Dr Devinder Singh
Mt Elizabeth Hospital,
3 Mount Elizabeth
#14-13 Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
(65) 8318 9884
(65) 6369 8789
