Channel NewsAsia - 26 minutes
ago
Significant
minority still has misconceptions about heart
risks
SINGAPORE: Many Singaporeans seem to know the answers when it comes
to heart health matters, but the Singapore Heart Foundation remains
concerned about the significant minority who still has
misconceptions about heart risks.
In a survey of 1,588 Singaporeans during the National Heart Week in
September last year, nine out of ten respondents said they knew
that heart disease and stroke did not only affect the elderly, and
almost nine in ten said women were as much at risk as men when it
came to getting heart disease.
Almost eight in ten respondents also had their blood pressure
checked in the last 12 months, while almost seven in ten had their
cholesterol level reading taken over the same period.
The Singapore Heart Foundation said while the results are
heartening, it is concerned there are still misconceptions about
heart disease management.
This is because four in ten respondents believed they did not need
to worry about cholesterol if their blood pressure was under
control. And about 23 percent thought they need not worry about
heart disease unless their blood pressure and cholesterol were very
high.
Almost 30 percent said they could stop their medication when they
reach their required blood pressure or cholesterol level.
Dr Terence Chua, ViceChairman of Singapore Heart Foundation, said:
"This survey is actually very helpful because although it doesnt
represent all of Singapore, it helps to identify areas where we
might want to focus more attention on to drive the content of the
public health message."
The Foundation is working with other stakeholders such as Community
Development Councils and SATA to conduct health screenings and
public forums to highlight the importance of heart disease
knowledge.
It also conducted another survey last November, targeted at the
lowincome elderly.
Some 300 households in four blocks in Henderson took part in the
survey carried out by students, SATA nurses and grassroots
leaders.
Information such as blood pressure, cholesterol level and family
history of interviewees were collected. The height, weight and
nutrition of the residents were also taken.
The exercise found that almost half of them had medical ailments
such as diabetes, high cholesterol and heart problems.
Ho Sun Yee, CEO of Singapore Heart Foundation, said: "We still need
to refine the survey instrument to have a more meaningful
comparison, but I think at the end of it, they want to be able to
find out what are the issues confronting them in terms of diet, so
that we can, perhaps, influence some policy making to better help
the residents. As I said, this is not a simple survey but we want
to hit many objectives as we go along."
To help these lowincome elderly, the Foundation has set up a
holistic support programme, which includes a free medical followup
with SATA and home visits by volunteers to ensure that they take
their medication regularly.
"One concern is that they dont want to know about their health
problems to avoid worrying about them. This is a shortsighted view
but perhaps its natural if you already have a lot of worries about
income," said Dr Chua.
The Singapore Heart Foundation will be carrying out a similar
survey in Jurong next month, in partnership with the NUS Medical
Society.
Medical students as well as other volunteers will be going
housetohouse to collect residents medical data.
The project will be carried out over three years with followup
treatment given to those who need help.
To contribute to the Foundations community project, pharmaceutical
giant Pfizer has donated some S$90,000. CNA/so