Heart Failure: A Major Health Problem in Singapore

Today (29 Sep) marks World Heart Day. Unfortunately, we only have heart-wrenching news to share - heart failure (HF) is extremely prevalent in Singapore and we are getting it earlier.

According to a multinational study, the average age of Singaporeans with heart failure is 61 – meaning we are getting it 10 years younger than Westerners. The reasons: Affluence, stress, dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. These factors lead to coronary artery disease, high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes – the three most common diseases linked to heart failure.

What is heart failure (HF)?

Heart failure means that your heart functions below par and is thus unable to pump enough blood for the body’s needs. It is a serious condition since all the organs, tissues, and cells in your body require proper blood flow to accomplish their tasks. Heart failure can affect one or both sides of the heart.

“In heart failure, because the heart isn’t performing its job well, fluid builds up in the lungs and patients feel breathless. This can be so severe that patients cannot carry out their usual activities of daily living, or feels like he or she is drowning,” explains Professor Carolyn Lam, Senior Consultant from the Department of Cardiology at National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), a member of the SingHealth group.

Read more: 10 Ways to protect your heart from heart failure

Symptoms of heart failure

Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath during rest or exertion

• Frequent coughing

• Sudden weight gain

• Swollen feet, ankles, legs

• Abdominal swelling / pain

• Dizziness / fainting

• Palpitations

• Fatigue

Causes and risk factors of heart failure

A variety of heart conditions can damage or weaken the heart, and lead to heart failure. These include:

1. Coronary artery disease / heart attack (myocardial infarction)

2. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

3. Heart valve disease

4. Congenital heart disease

5. Abnormal heart rhythms

6. Myocarditis (Inflammation of the heart muscle)

Read more: Beware this flu-like infection that affects the heart

Other medical conditions which can cause heart failure include:

1. Diabetes

2. Obesity

3. Sleep apnoea (difficulties with breathing during sleep)

4. Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)

5. HIV infection

6. Inherited cardiomyopathy

“Excessive consumption of alcohol can also increase your risk of heart failure,” adds Prof Carolyn Lam.

How is heart failure diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your medical history and your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and conduct tests to diagnose heart failure. The tests may include a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac catheterisation, which involves threading to your heart a long, thin, flexible tube through a blood vessel in your arm, groin or neck.

Read more: Heart palpitations - Worry or not to worry?

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