Ischaemic Heart Disease Explained by Dr. Benji Lim | Novena Heart Centre

Hi, I’m Dr. Benji Lim, a senior cardiologist at Novena Heart Centre. Today, I’d like to share about ischaemic heart disease, or IHD for short. This is one of the most common heart conditions we see in Singapore and around the world.

IHD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, known as plaque. This process is called atherosclerosis. When blood flow is reduced, the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen, especially during exercise or times of stress.

The most common symptom is chest pain, also called angina. Some people may also experience breathlessness, sweating, dizziness, or pain that spreads to the arm, neck, jaw, or even the back. Unfortunately, for some patients, the first sign of IHD can be a heart attack — which happens when a blockage is severe or sudden.

The good news is that IHD is both preventable and treatable. With early detection, healthy lifestyle changes, proper medications, and when necessary, procedures like stenting or bypass surgery, we can reduce risks and protect your heart.

If you have concerns about your heart health, it’s important to speak with a doctor or cardiologist. We can assess your condition and guide you on the next steps.

A healthy heart leads to a better life. At Novena Heart Centre, we believe in better.

Author

PRIME Magazine

PRIME is a bi-monthly health and lifestyle magazine for those aged 40 and above. Published since 2006 by Spring Publishing, it features inspiring cover stories of celebrities, as well as other health and lifestyle information. Prime has also featured leading celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Mary Buffett, and many others.

Each issue contains a Special Feature that covers a specific theme or topic, a Cover Story, an Ask the Doctor section (where doctors answer readers’ questions), Nutrition and Well-being segments, and Leisure and Lifestyle content.

Celebrate your best years with Prime today!

View all posts