Dr Julian Tan

A pacemaker is a small device that delivers electric pulses to the heart muscles. It is used to treat: Heart rhythm problems such as bradycardia (beats too slow) and tachycardia (beats too fast) Heart failure 1. Heart rhythm problems When your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or irregular, the blood pumped by your heart may not be enough for your body to function normally. This may cause dizziness, fainting spells, and also shortness of breath. There are different treatment methods including a pacemaker. Pacemakers work by sending electric impulses to correct the heart rhythm.

Arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygenated blood throughout your body. When a build-up of plaque clogs an artery, it can reduce or completely block blood flow. Clogged arteries are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. What are the symptoms? There are a few symptoms that you should definitely pay attention to.

Angioplasties are very safe in this day and age with modern medicine and technological advancements.

Your heart pumps blood around your body through blood vessels. Heart disease often begins when heart vessels become blocked by a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque. This makes it harder for vessels to supply blood to the heart. Signs and symptoms that you have blocked heart vessels may include: Chest pain (angina) Shortness of breath Heaviness in your chest Pain in your jaw or down the arms Heartburn Nausea Vomiting Heavy sweating Whenever I suspect that a patient has heart disease and blocked heart vessels, I'll perform a physical examination and a few tests.

Great question! Your friend is entirely right. Not many people know this, but there are actually 3 main "types" of cardiologists in Singapore, according to their further sub-specialty training and qualifications. These are: Non-Invasive Cardiologist Interventional Cardiologist Electrophysiologists (EP) 1. Non-Invasive Cardiologist Non-invasive heart doctors manage patients in the outpatient setting. Their role is to prevent and manage heart-related problems, such as hypertension and heart failure.

Private heart specialists typically charge about $150 - $200 for a first consultation. Medications will typically add on another $100 - $200 in total to your final bill. At the National Heart Centre, the rates for seeing a cardiologist are as follows: Consultation Singapore Citizen Private First Consultation $$57 $120 - $155 Follow-up Consultation $38 $79 - $112 Even if you go as a new patient via a polyclinic referral, rest assured that a consultant will still be seeing you on your first visit.

here are the main 4 steps during the angioplasty procedure: 1. Preparation A coronary angiogram usually takes about 30 minutes. You'll be lying under an X-ray camera in a cath lab while your cardiologist monitors the procedure on a television screen. You'll then receive a local anaesthetic injection into either your arm or groin (depending on where the catheter will be inserted). 2. The catheter is inserted into in the narrowed part of your heart artery When this area is numb, a narrow tube (sheath) is inserted into the artery.

There are 3 main categories of Singaporeans whom are most at risk for heart disease: 1. Strong family history of heart disease You will have an increased risk of heart attacks if your parents or siblings have cardiovascular disease, even if you have a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Consequently, you should be screened regularly for risk factors if you belong to this group. A heart specialist will be able to order tests and set up a treatment plan (which includes lifestyle modifications and potentially medications) which can reduce your risk for heart attacks. 2.

Treating heart disease usually begins with lifestyle changes and/or medications that help improve blood flow to your heart muscle. However, your angiogram will clearly show the blockage in your coronary arteries. I always make sure to explain ALL available treatment options to my patients.

I'm glad to hear that you are determined to make healthier lifestyle choices to get the best results after your angioplasty! I warn all my patients that an angioplasty is NOT a cure for heart disease. It can certainly help to control your symptoms, but it does NOT fix the underlying heart disease that caused the symptoms in the first place. To reduce the risk of further heart issues, you'll need to make important changes to your lifestyle. All my patients get a customised care plan and cardiac rehabilitation programme after their angioplasty.

This is a common question that often confuses my patients, because they sound similar! An angiogram is merely a diagnostic tool used to reveal blockages in heart vessels. On the other hand, an angioplasty is a treatment that involves inserting heart stents to improve blood flow to heart muscle. Widening a narrowed heart vessel results in fewer angina symptoms and a better quality of life. A coronary angiogram and angioplasty may be done soon after a heart attack, or if you have angina.

A heart stent is a metal tube that's inserted into your narrowed heart artery during an angioplasty. It acts as an internal support framework to keep the artery open by pressing plaque back against the artery wall. There are many different types of heart stents available in Singapore: Bare Metal Stent (seldomly used nowadays) – a metallic mesh tube. Drug-eluting Stent – a metallic stent that's been coated with medication to prevent re-narrowing of the heart vessel.

The total cost for an angioplasty in Singapore depends on whether you go to a private or public institution.