In 2021, the World Health Organisation cited heart disease as one of the leading global causes of death. In fact, CVD accounted for 32% of global deaths that year. Unfortunately, a similar statistic prevailed among Singaporeans.
The positive news is that fewer people are dying from heart diseases these days, thanks to better medical treatments. However, more people are still being diagnosed with these conditions, partly because more people have risk factors. In this article, we will learn about the common heart diseases Singaporeans are at risk of and what you can do about them.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
One common heart disease that affects Singaporeans is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This occurs when the major blood vessels, known as the coronary arteries, become narrowed due to atherosclerosis — a buildup of plaque (e.g., cholesterol deposits) along the artery walls. These blood vessels supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood and nutrients. When they are compromised, the heart’s ability to function properly can also be affected.
Often, patients with this condition do not exhibit major symptoms until a significant blockage occurs. In such cases, CAD may cause symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or lead directly to a heart attack.
Heart Failure
Not to be confused with a heart attack, heart failure is a chronic condition that develops over time when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.
The heart functions by rhythmically contracting and relaxing to pump blood in and out, allowing for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Individuals with heart failure may experience one of the following:
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (systolic heart failure) occurs when the heart muscle is too weak to pump blood out effectively.
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (diastolic heart failure) occurs when the heart may become too stiff to relax properly, limiting its ability to fill with blood between beats.
This is why patients with heart failure may find themselves experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue, and a weak or elevated heart rate even while resting.
Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeat)
Arrhythmias are conditions in which the heart beats abnormally. This means the heart may beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of arrhythmia, but commonly include heart palpitations, dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, and chest discomfort.
Depending on its severity and underlying cause, an arrhythmia may be harmless or may signal a more serious condition that can lead to complications such as stroke, heart failure, or heart attack.
Valvular Heart Disease
Valvular heart disease happens when one or more of the heart’s valves become damaged or diseased, disrupting the normal blood flow through the heart. As a result, this places extra strain on the heart, leading to early symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, fatigue, or dizziness. If left untreated, valvular heart disease can worsen over time and may eventually lead to heart failure. This progression typically occurs due to one of the following types of valve dysfunction:
- Regurgitation (leakage): The valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward instead of moving in one direction. This forces the heart to work harder to maintain adequate circulation.
- Stenosis (narrowing): The valve opening becomes narrowed and does not open fully, which restricts blood flow through the valve and increases the workload on the heart.
Congenital Heart Defects
A congenital heart defect means that a heart abnormality is present at birth, which can range from harmless to serious. Congenital heart defects can take many forms; in Singapore, however, some of the more common cases involve the detection of a hole in the heart’s wall (e.g., ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect), causing blood to leak between chambers and making it harder for the heart to pump efficiently. As a result, affected babies are often found struggling to breathe and may show signs such as:
- Pale or blue lips, tongue, or fingernails
- Swelling in the legs, belly, or areas around the eyes
- Being underweight
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy refers to a heart muscle disease in which the heart finds it harder to pump blood effectively throughout the body. There are different types of cardiomyopathy, each affecting the heart muscle in distinct ways:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: The heart chambers become enlarged and the walls thin and stretched, which reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, which can obstruct blood flow and make it harder to pump.
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy: The heart muscle becomes stiff and less flexible, preventing it from properly expanding and filling with blood between beats.
Hypertensive Heart Disease
Hypertensive heart disease refers to a group of heart-related medical conditions that develop due to long-term, unmanaged high blood pressure (hypertension). This occurs because chronic high blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart to pump blood. Over time, the heart muscles may become thicker, or blood vessels may become narrower, leading to increased strain. In fact, heart conditions like CAD can be considered a form of hypertensive heart disease if persistent high blood pressure is the primary underlying cause. As a result, the potential outcomes are similar: individuals with untreated hypertensive heart disease may suffer from heart failure, arrhythmia, or even sudden cardiac arrest.
Who Is Most at Risk?
As you may have noticed, heart diseases often develop due to underlying medical conditions that go unaddressed. For example, high blood pressure can change the structure of the heart and blood vessels, while high cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup. Similar effects can occur in people with diabetes or obesity, as these conditions can cause extensive atherosclerosis.
More importantly, one heart condition can often lead to other types of heart dysfunction. For instance, an arrhythmia can eventually lead to heart failure. This makes it even more crucial to understand the risk factors for heart disease, such as ageing, being male, and having a family history of heart disease, which also increase your chances of developing heart problems.
While the previously mentioned risk factors are less avoidable, there are several other lifestyle-related factors that you can adjust to reduce your risk of heart disease:
- Smoking: This habit — including exposure to second-hand smoke — can directly damage blood vessels and impair heart function. Quitting is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk.
- Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle is strongly linked to coronary artery disease and can worsen the management of other risk factors.
- Unhealthy Diet: Foods that are high in trans-fat, such as those with high sugar and salt contents, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
- Stress: Chronic, unmanaged stress can worsen other risk factors and may contribute to damage in the arteries.
When to See a Heart Doctor in Singapore
Nowadays, many heart conditions can be treated and managed through minimally invasive procedures that allow for quicker recovery and minimal pain. For more information, book a consultation with Dr Joshua Loh, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, to understand the options available to you.
Get A Heart Health Screening Today
There’s a reason why heart diseases are deemed silent killers and can affect even the seemingly ‘healthiest’ people. As such, men aged above 40 and women approaching menopause are highly encouraged to get their hearts checked regularly, especially if they have known risk factors. In Singapore, the team at Capital Heart Centre offers a comprehensive heart screening package to help you understand your heart health.
References
- World Health Organisation. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). July 31, 2025. Accessed 10 September 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
- MyHeart (Singapore). Heart disease statistics. Accessed 10 September 2025. https://www.myheart.org.sg/health/heart-disease-statistics/
Mayo Clinic Staff. Cardiomyopathy: Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed 10 September 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-2037070 - Cleveland Clinic. Hypertensive heart disease: Symptoms, causes & treatment. Accessed 10 September 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21840-hypertensive-heart-disease
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Congenital heart defects in children: Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed 10 September 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/congenital-heart-defects-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20350074
