Safeguard Your Heart

Constantly battling the bulge or just not sleeping or eating properly? Here’s a must-read for the sake of your heart health

Heart disease is a leading cause of death for Singaporean women. Here, we look at the latest research about heart health, and speak to experts, including Head of the PreClinical Disease and Prevention Unit and cardiologist Associate Professor Melinda Carrington, to see what you can do to improve your odds...

You can be slim and still be at risk of heart problems

If you have a family history of heart disease, being slim isn’t enough to protect you from heart attack or stroke. Because if your mother, father or a sibling has a heart attack before 60, that means your risk of heart attack is increased, too.

“And you can be slim but have high cholesterol due to your genes,” says cardiologist Assoc Prof Carrington.

WHAT TO DO: If you have a family history of heart problems or high cholesterol, speak to your GP about changes that can reduce your risk of poor heart health. Your GP may also recommend medication if you have high cholesterol.

The number one risk factor for heart disease is high blood pressure

High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because often people don’t know they have it. “Yet it is a bigger risk factor for heart problems than obesity,” says Assoc Prof Carrington. Blood pressure can be influenced by family history, too much salt or alcohol in your diet, being overweight and a lack of exercise. The good news is that medications can help control it.

WHAT TO DO: When you see your GP for a check-up or for another health issue, get your blood pressure checked, too.