We speak to a cardiologist in Gleneagles Hospital Singapore to find out more about signs, symptoms, and how to prevent sudden cardiac arrest
You’ve built up your endurance while slogging in the gym for the past few weeks, and your heaps of running gear are all in order. More importantly, your heart’s absolutely in it to dominate that daunting marathon in Singapore – but are you really sure about that? We’re not talking about your steely resolve in conquering those couple of kilometres. We’re talking about the physical health of your heart itself. Is your heart capable of giving out on you? Are you prone to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
More unpredictable than a heart attack
Unlike heart attacks, SCA can strike without warning. You’re probably thinking, “But I exercise regularly and eat healthily, no way could I possibly have a cholesterol problem!”. The thing is, you probably don’t, and yes, you have a lower risk of a heart attack. “A heart attack is where there is a blockage in the artery that supplies blood to the heart,” affirms Dr. Jeremy Chow, cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Gleneagles Hospital Singapore. And even if a heart attack were to rear its ugly head, you’d know it. “The victim will suffer a crushing chest pain that can spread to the arms, shoulders and jaws,” Dr. Chow continues. However, SCA is a condition that’s much less foreseeable. Unlike the preventable accummulation of cholesterol, SCA is an electrical issue, triggered when the heart changes its rhythm abruptly and abnormally. “There are seldom any warnings, and the victim always loses consciousness,” Dr. Chow warns.
It’s potentially lethal, even if you’re fit
In Singapore alone, an estimated 1,000 people die from SCA every year, with corresponding figures exceeding 400,000 in the US. And even more chilling, half of these numbers within the former category fall below the age of 60. Strengthening your endurance isn’t the same as stablising your heart activity. In fact, studies have shown that strenuous endurance exercise – especially those experienced during marathons – can trigger incidents of cardiac arrest. In the past decade, it was reported that SCA took the lives of more than 20 professional athletes, despite them being in the pink of health. So don’t take it for granted when you clear those exercise routines without any visible hiccups; SCA is one silent killer that lurks, but can also be minimised once you know how.
Cardiac arrest can be prevented
As gung-ho as you might be about crossing that finishing line, you’d best take precautions and detect the early tell-tale signs of SCA, especially if you’re about to set off on your very first marathon. While the condition hits swiftly, it can be forewarned by going through a comprehensive test known as Pre Participation Screening (PPS). “PPS is a detailed set of tests that determines whether someone is at risk of suffering from ventricular arrhythmia in their heart or has structural abnormalities in their heart,” elaborates Dr. Chow. According to him, specific tests of the PPS include the following:
- 12 hour lead electrocardiogram (ECG) that records the electrical activity of the heart
- 24 to 48 hour Holter monitoring, which monitors the heart rate and rhythm
- Event Recorders
- Treadmill exercise stress test
- 2D echocardiography, an ultrasound that creates images of the heart to check for structural defects
- Computerised Tomography (CT) coronary angiogram which looks at the arteries that supply blood to the heart
- Cardiac MRI when there is clinical suspicion of cardiomyopathy
- Genetics testing, especially for those who have a family history of heart problems or cardiac arrest
Sounds like a mouthful, but trust us, it’s a small price to pay for reducing the likelihood of a fatal disaster. Aside from those who intend to exert themselves on such a scale, the PPS is also highly recommended for those kicking off a fitness regime after a prolonged period of stagnancy. So even if you were an active fitness buff in the past, it ain’t wise to take the risk without a heartfelt check-up first.
At the end of the day, whether you finish your marathon or not, you’d want your experience to feel like an absolute victory. You don’t want anything ruining your fun, least of all, something as burdensome as sudden cardiac arrest. Heed our advice: get checked!
As a heart specialist, Dr Jeremy Chow has performed numerous surgeries in Singapore that involve implanting pacemakers and defibrillators. He is extremely well versed in cardiac resynchronization therapy – one of his best approaches in treating various cardiological conditions – and is certified as a cardiac device specialist by the Heart Rhythm Society.
Gleneagles Hospitals is the Official Medical Partner of BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global 2015.
Gleneagles Hospital Singapore, 6A Napier Road, Singapore 258500. Call Gleneagles Hospital Singapore Patient Assistance Centre at the 24-Hour hotline (6575 7575) or email [email protected] and get a specialist appointment within 24 hours.
This article is sponsored by Gleneagles Hospital Singapore.