Heart Health: Frequently Asked Questions

By Island Hospital | Dec 28, 2020 11:52:17 AM

Taking care of your heart health means being mindful of what you eat to keep your cholesterol level down as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here, we shed more light on diet, cholesterol medications, hypertension and related issues

Source of FAQ courtesy of Healthy Heart Score, a patient resource from Upjohn Malaysia (a Viatris company).

Fasting before a cholesterol test: Should I do It?

You probably do not need to do so. Evidence suggests that fasting is not necessary before a common blood test, often referred to as a lipid profile. Researchers found that fasting or not fasting before the test had a negligible effect on predicting people's risk of future heart problems.

Does eating oatmeal lower cholesterol?

Oatmeal contains soluble fibre, which is beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in our bloodstream. Oats contain a substance called beta-glucan, which is a water soluble fibre that prevents the body from absorbing excessive amount of dietary cholesterol, thus reduces the level of LDL.

If I am fit and healthy, could I still have a heart attack?

People who maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise and a healthy diet show a reduced risk of having certain heart disease factors. Individuals who are physically fit should still regularly check their BP and cholesterol levels.

Can I stop cholesterol medications once I started?

You cannot stop taking your prescribed medications/pills as your LDL cholesterol might rise back to the level where it was when you first started. As the cholesterol level increases, so does the risk of a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol levels can be successfully managed by making necessary lifestyle changes and taking medications.

Take your medications/pills exactly as prescribed by your doctor, including at the right time and for the full length of your prescribed treatment.

Do I need to change my diet when I am on medication?

Yes. It has been recommended that following a healthy diet is important in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, dietary lifestyle changes are recommended before and after the initiation of any lipid-lowering treatment. Patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease should restrict their dietary salt when they are on diuretic therapy (medications designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine). Remember, you are what you eat!

l find it difficult to adhere to my medication. Sometimes, I miss doses and medications. How can I improve this?

It is important to adhere to your prescribed medications to benefit from the treatment. A simplified treatment regimen such as once-daily dosing helps to improve medication adherence. Take the effort to self-monitor your BP or sugar levels at home, you will be encouraged when you see improvement in your BP or sugar levels.

Will hypertension go away without treatment?

It is rare for hypertension to disappear by itself. If left untreated, blood pressure gets higher with time and the risk of complications goes up too.

If I have diabetes, do I have to be more careful to control my high blood pressure?

As diabetes itself increases the risk of cardiovascular complications, blood pressure (which can further increase risk) needs careful attention. In general, most cloctors will consider treating blood pressure in patients with diabetes to lower levels than in patients who do not have diabetes.

Will blood pressure medication make me feel funny or sick?

These days drugs are safe and generally free of major side effects, but no drug is completely free of side effects in all patients.

As blood pressure drugs work by reducing blood pressure, sometimes too great a fall in blood pressure can cause dizziness on standing. Dizziness on standing also can be worse in older patients.

There are a variety of other symptoms that can result from blood pressure medications, and if these appear in few days or weeks after the treatment has begun, you should consult your doctor. However, do not stop medications yourself without medical advice as sometimes the blood pressure will rebound to very high levels which can be dangerous.

Island Hospital is here to provide comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages. We've got you covered
with our team of dedicated specialists and nursing staff.

Thank you for contacting us.
Please note that our live chat is available from:
- Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
- Saturday: 8.30am to 1pm.

During non-working hours, Ms Medi our chatbot will answer your questions instead. Should the questions be too detailed and Ms Medi is unable to reply you in detail, we will respond to you soonest possible, during working hours. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Before we start, please note that getting advice in person from a doctor provides you optimal care. Our responses here should not be taken as medical advice.

Heart Health: Frequently Asked Questions

Related Doctors

Dato' Dr. Basheer Ahamed Abdul Kareem (BCN, DSPN)

Dr. Chiew Kean Shyong

Dr. Chong Chu Ling (SMJ)

Dr. Donald Ang Swee Cheng

Dr.Yeoh Joon Kuan

Latest Blogs

The Importance of Health Screenings

Medicine Delivery

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

CONTACT US

EMERGENCY HOTLINE NUMBER

EMAIL