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SINGAPORE: Reports in recent years of fit and healthy young men collapsing and dying while exercising do not mean sudden cardiac deaths occur most in this age group.
The reality is actually quite different, says Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Hawazi Daipi.
Less than 3 per cent of sudden cardiac death victims were below 35 years old.
In fact, two-thirds of such cases involved victims above 60 years old.
Most incidents happened at home and very few cases happened when the victims were exercising.
Mr Hawazi was speaking at the Singapore Medical Association's National Medical Convention on Saturday which focused on sudden cardiac arrests.
The Health Ministry says there is a widespread perception that nothing much can be done to prevent sudden cardiac deaths. But it says that is wrong because a local study shows that more than 80 per cent of such cases were due to underlying blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles.
This is a condition called Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the same problem that causes heart attacks.
"We know a lot about what can be done to prevent CAD - stop smoking, exercise regularly, eat wisely, detect and control chronic diseases that are risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol," said Mr Hawazi.
Thus, doctors - especially those in the primary healthcare sector - have a major role to play to encourage patients to take responsibility for their health.
Meanwhile, to improve survival rate in a cardiac arrest emergency situation, the Singapore Medical Association and the Singapore Heart Foundation have launched a Mobile Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Download for handphones.
The Mobile CPR Download is an easy-to-understand animated package that contains vital information for a self-directed CPR learning experience. It is the most complete step-by-step, up-to-date, self-learning instructional package in the local market.
The CPR visual animation with audio capability guides both CPR-trained and non-CPR trained personnel with ease and simplicity. Once downloaded, the animation video resides on the mobile phone and can be retrieved immediately without the need to go online. This initiative is currently offered to StarHub mobile phone subscribers.
- CNA/jk
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