Heart disease remains to be a health challenge that affects people in all walks of life even with the continuous developments in medical treatments and technologies. A reason that contributes to this challenge is that the current healthcare system is more focused on addressing the issues after they have been diagnosed. Due to this, many heart doctors in Singapore promote a more proactive way of approaching heart health: Preventative Cardiology.
What is Preventative Cardiology?
Preventative cardiology is a branch of medicine that concentrates on minimising factors that increase the development of cardiovascular diseases and improving the heart’s health for a long time. This method of care reduces the risk of developing heart problems by way of early detection, changes in lifestyle, and managing underlying factors that can have an impact on the heart, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, and smoking. The end goal of this approach is to strengthen your heart and avoid diseases instead of applying treatments after a diagnosis has been made.
Preventing cardiovascular diseases can be done in three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
If you have not yet experienced any heart-related problems, but have a family history and are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to various factors, then you are a good candidate for primary prevention. Primary prevention involves having a heart doctor assess your risks, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and taking medications as necessary.
Secondary prevention is recommended if you have current risk factors like prediabetes or hypertension that can lead to a cardiovascular disease. It focuses on various treatment plans like cardiac rehabilitation, lifestyle adjustments, and management through medications in order to improve your heart’s health in the long run and lessen the probability of relapse.
A diagnosis of heart disease needs tertiary prevention. This prevention method aims to avoid further complications by managing your cardiovascular disease diagnosis. You will be advised to undergo certain interventions in order to improve your quality of life and lengthen your life expectancy. Cardiac rehabilitation, medication, and surgical procedures can be a part of your tertiary prevention care.
What is the role of a comprehensive risk assessment in preventative cardiology?
A comprehensive risk assessment plays a critical role in preventive cardiology. Through this process, a heart doctor deep dives into the different facets of your health as well as your lifestyle to determine the current condition of your cardiovascular system. This assessment is normally done through a review of your health habits, personal health history, your family medical history, and medical tests, including:
- Advanced Lipid Subfractions
- Blood Glucose Tests
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Genetic Testing
- Imaging Tests
- Inflammatory Markers
- Lipid Panel
Advanced Lipid Subfractions. This test is done to determine whether you have certain types of cholesterol existing in your body that may cause more harm.
Blood Glucose Test. This test is done to check if you have prediabetes or diabetes, which makes your body at risk of developing heart diseases.
Blood Pressure Monitoring. This test measures the pressure of your blood as it goes through your arteries. Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, it is important that you undergo regular monitoring particularly if you are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Genetic Testing. Many cardiovascular diseases can be passed on through genes. Genetic testing can determine whether you have inherited genes that can place you at high risk of developing a heart problem.
Imaging Tests. These tests are crucial in the early detection of heart conditions. For example, an imaging test can show a plaque buildup in your arteries, which can occur prior to experiencing any symptoms.
Inflammatory Markers. Cardiac inflammatory marker tests are performed through blood tests. This test examines your blood and measures unique biomarkers that show any inflammation in your heart and how severe it can be.
Lipid Panel. A lipid panel is another type of blood test that measures the levels of cholesterol in your body that can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular problems and heart disease.
What are the core elements of preventative cardiology?
Preventative cardiology is composed of a few core elements. This includes:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medical intervention and management
- Risk assessments and regular screenings
- Stress management
Lifestyle changes. Practicing a healthy lifestyle is essential in keeping your heart in top condition. Always be mindful of the food that you eat. Lessen your consumption of foods that are processed, high in sugar and cholesterol. Choose a well-balanced and nutritious meal that includes healthy fats, fruits, lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. Keep your weight at a healthy level by exercising every day and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. Limit your alcohol intake and avoid smoking to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Medical intervention and management. If you are on secondary or tertiary prevention, relying on lifestyle modifications alone may not be enough to keep heart problems at bay. Your heart doctor will prescribe medications to help manage any risk factors that you have. It is important to remember that medications are not substitutes for healthy lifestyle habits. These should go together to ensure a healthy heart.
Regular screenings and risk assessments. Visiting your heart doctor na regular basis to undergo risk assessments and medical tests are crucial especially for detecting factors that can lead to cardiovascular diseases. If you know that your health is at risk of developing heart problems, consulting with a heart doctor even when you are healthy is recommended.
Stress management. Mental stress, such as anxiety and depression, can result in heart problems. To address these mental health issues, your heart doctor can also include behavioural therapy and mindfulness practices into your personalised treatment plan.
The Heart of the Matter
Preventative cardiology is more than just a branch of medicine. This approach aims to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and improving your health for a long period of time. It focuses on methods that promote health preservation, which allows you to take responsibility of caring for your heart’s health for as long as you live.
Preventative cardiology does not only benefit your heart’s health, but your overall quality of life. By following its core elements, you are setting yourself to to lead a longer and healthier life by lowering your risk of developing diseases that can be fatal to your heart.
Cadence Heart – Dr Devinder Singh
Mt Elizabeth Hospital
3 Mount Elizabeth #14-13
Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre
Singapore 228510
Tel: (65) 8318 9884
Whatsapp: (65) 6369 8789
