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.

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.

Patterns of motivators and barriers to heart health behaviors among adults with behavior-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors: A population-based survey in Singapore.

Objectives: Motivators and barriers are pivotal factors in the adoption of health behaviors. This study aims to identify patterns of the motivators and barriers influencing heart health behaviors among multi-ethnic Asian adults with behavior-modifiable risk factors for heart disease, namely obesity, physical inactivity and smoking.

Methods: A population-based survey of 1,000 participants was conducted in Singapore.

Public perceptions and knowledge of cholesterol management in a multi-ethnic Asian population: A population-based survey.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Hyperlipidemia is one of the important modifiable risk factors for CVDs. Raising public awareness of CVD risks is an important step in reducing CVD burdens.

Elderly Asian Patients Have Lower Revascularisation Rates and Poorer Outcomes for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Compared to Younger Patients.

Introduction: There is limited information on elderly patients presenting with ST- elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to study the outcomes of elderly Asian patients with STEMI compared to younger patients.

Materials And Methods: The study utilised data from 2007 to 2012 from the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry, a mandatory national population-based registry.

Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Hypertension.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated the clinical practice guidelines on hypertension to provide doctors and patients in Singapore with evidence-based treatment for hypertension. This article reproduces the introduction and executive summary (with recommendations from the guidelines) from the MOH clinical practice guidelines on hypertension, for the information of SMJ readers. Chapters and page numbers mentioned in the reproduced extract refer to the full text of the guidelines, which are available from the Ministry of Health website: http://www.

Comparative analysis of recurrent events after presentation with an index myocardial infarction or ischaemic stroke.

Aims: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Our aims are to determine the comparative epidemiology of AMI and ischaemic stroke; and examine the differences in cardiovascular outcomes or mortality occurring after an AMI or stroke.

Methods And Results: The Singapore National Registry of Diseases Office collects countrywide data on AMI, stroke, and mortality.

Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Lipids.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Lipids to provide doctors and patients in Singapore with evidence-based treatment for lipids. This article reproduces the introduction and executive summary (with recommendations from the guidelines) from the MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Lipids, for the information of SMJ readers. Chapters and page numbers mentioned in the reproduced extract refer to the full text of the guidelines, which are available from the Ministry of Health website: http://www.

Hypertension treatment in the Asia-Pacific: the role of and treatment strategies with nebivolol.

Hypertension is a common disease, and hypertensive patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of hypertension in the Asia-Pacific region are predicted to increase in the coming decades. Effective blood pressure lowering reduces overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients, yet doubt has been raised regarding the use of (mainly older generation) β-blockers as initial therapy in hypertension.

The use of medications in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in the Asian region.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, to which coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant contributor, are a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the years ahead, it is estimated that approximately half of the world's cardiovascular burden will occur in the Asian region. Currently there is a large gap in secondary prevention, with unrealized health gains resulting from underuse of evidence-based medications, including beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), aspirin and other antiplatelet agents, and lipid-lowering drugs.

Public perceptions, knowledge and awareness of cholesterol management in Singapore: a prospective pilot study.

Introduction: Hyperlipidaemia is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Its effective treatment has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, both in secondary and primary prevention. An essential component of risk factor management at the community level is public awareness and knowledge of treatment benefits.

Effects of rosuvastatin on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma lipids in Asian patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Aims: Rosuvastatin is more efficacious than other statins in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Studies showing higher blood levels in Asians have resulted in concerns regarding increased adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic Asian patients.

Risk factors associated with hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Objectives: To investigate demographic and cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Methods: Participants from four previous cross-sectional studies were invited for a repeat examination (2004--2007). Information of demographic details and cardiovascular disease risk factors was obtained using questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests.

Risk factor profile and treatment patterns of patients with atherothrombosis in Singapore: insight from the REACH Registry.

Introduction: Atherothrombosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. The Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry provided information on atherosclerosis risk factors and treatment. Singapore was one of the 44 participating countries in the REACH Registry.

Metabolic syndrome: recent prevalence in East and Southeast Asian populations.

Background: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among a number of Asian populations as defined by several current criteria has been increasing rapidly and appears to resemble that among Western populations.

Methods: We review 25 surveys of the metabolic syndrome in Asian populations (PR China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Singapore) that report adequate information published during the last 5 years.

Results: Using Asian-adapted definitions of obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2)) and increased waist circumference (for male > or = 90 cm; for female > or =80 cm) prevalence appears to be between 10 to 30%.

Ankle-brachial index and extent of atherothrombosis in 8891 patients with or at risk of vascular disease: results of the international AGATHA study.

Aims: AGATHA (a Global Atherothrombosis Assessment) was designed to assess the extent of atherothrombosis and the use of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in vascular patients. The principal hypotheses were that (1) in diseased patients, a low ABI was related to the number and site of vascular beds affected and (2) in at-risk patients without disease, a low ABI was related to the number of risk factors present.

Methods And Results: Patients were recruited consecutively by 482 clinicians in 24 countries and the ABI measurement was performed at a single visit.