Strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease in Singapore: A call to action from Singapore Heart Foundation, Singapore Cardiac Society and Chapter of Cardiologists of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.

Jack Wei Chieh Tan, Terrance Siang Jin Chua, Khung Keong Yeo, Huay Cheem Tan, Tavintharan Subramaniam, Tee Joo Yeo, Doreen Sy Tan, Natalie Si Ya Koh, Yew Seng Kwan, Michael Chun Leng Lim, Lip Ping Low

Journal: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2024;53(1):23-33

PMID: 38920212

Free Full Text on Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore View on PubMed

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In 2022, the Minister for Health of Singapore launched Healthier SG, a national strategy in championing the shift towards a population health approach.

METHOD

The Singapore Heart Foundation conducted a series of roundtable discussions, also attended by representatives of the Singapore Cardiac Society and the Chapter of Cardiologists of the Academy of Medicine Singapore. During the meetings, the authors formulated interventions supportive of Healthier SG that specifically aimed to uplift the state of cardiovascular (CV) preventive care in Singapore.

RESULTS

In line with Healthier SG, the authors propose a 3-pronged approach ("Healthier Heart SG") to augment the success of Healthier SG in achieving good CV outcomes. This proposal includes the following components: (1) a call to update the standards of care in addressing the 5 main modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD); (2) patient education through cooperation between healthcare professionals and community partners for a whole-of-system approach; and (3) support for integrated care, including access to cardiac rehabilitation in the community, improved referral processes and access to nutrition/dietetics counselling and tobacco cessation, optimal use of information technology, and continued CV research.

CONCLUSION

Healthier Heart SG would bring the standards of care and CV care delivery in Singapore closer to achieving the vision of proactive prevention of CVD and CV morbidity and mortality. This can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of healthcare professionals, policymakers and community partners, coupled with the cooperation of community members.

Address: Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.; Singapore Heart Foundation.; Singapore Cardiac Society.; Chapter of Cardiologists, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine, Singapore.; Singapore Heart Foundation.; Singapore Cardiac Society.; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.; Singapore Heart Foundation.; Singapore Cardiac Society.; Chapter of Cardiologists, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.; Singapore Cardiac Society.; Chapter of Cardiologists, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.; Chapter of Cardiologists, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine, Singapore.; Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Singapore.; Department of Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore.; National University Polyclinics, Singapore.; Chapter of Cardiologists, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine, Singapore.; Royal Heart, Stroke and Cancer Centre, Singapore.; Singapore Heart Foundation.; Low Cardiology Clinic, Singapore.; Singapore Heart Foundation.; Singapore Cardiac Society.; Chapter of Cardiologists, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine, Singapore.; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2023141

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Full Text Sources:

https://doi.org/10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2023141

Miscellaneous:

https://assays.cancer.gov/non-CPTAC-3993

MeSH Terms: Singapore, Humans, Cardiovascular Diseases, Societies, Medical, Cardiology, Patient Education as Topic, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Foundations, Heart Disease Risk Factors