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Services / Cardiology Unit

Cardiology Unit

Helping thousands lead longer, healthier lives

We are committed to treat those suffering from a range of cardiovascular disorders affecting the heart, aorta and blood vessels, using interventional cardiology, minimally invasive techniques and a host of other state-of-the-art technologies.

Thorough, systematic diagnostic procedures

You’re assured of in-depth physical examinations and thorough diagnostic efforts to pin-point blockages that may cause arrhythmias, unstable heart beats and heart failure. Rest assured that our unit offers the most comprehensive inpatient and outpatient cardiac care services that are centred around your needs.


Our Services

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

ECG machines are a common sight in clinics, operating rooms and ambulances, and are used primarily to monitor the electrical activity and rhythms of the heart. It’s a common, painless and non-invasive method to detect:

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
  • Blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart, resulting in chest pains or a heart attack
  • History of previous heart attacks
  • Condition of heart disease treatments and devices such as a pacemaker

You may need help if you’re suffering from:

  • Chest pains
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular or heavy heartbeats
  • Heart palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Prolonged fatigue or general weakness

Echocardiogram

Through this procedure, images of your heart will be recreated using sound waves or echoes. It’s a common method to identify heart disease and to monitor if your heart is functioning as well as it should. Our unit uses echocardiograms to:

  • Inspect the valves or chambers of your heart
  • Identify what’s causing you shortness of breath or chest pains
  • Detect congenital heart defects (foetal echocardiogram)

There are variations of echocardiograms that deliver unique information that may be required by our specialists:

  • In the Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) procedure, a transducer will aim an ultrasound beam to your heart, to record sound waves. The information will then be displayed as moving images on screen.
  • Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is designed to produce even more detailed images. In this procedure, a tube fitted with a transducer will be inserted down your throat and into your oesophagus to record sound waves from your heart.

Stress Test

This test is designed to show how your heart performs during physical activity where your heart will be stressed to pump harder and faster. By monitoring your movement on a treadmill or ergometer bike, the test can reveal blood flow issues within the heart. This test may be recommended if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

A stress test can help to:

  • Detect heart problems at an early stage
  • Reveal overall heart health
  • Ensure that the heart fit for a surgical procedure
  • Guide our specialists in making accurate treatment decisions

Holter Monitoring (wired and wireless)

If a traditional electrocardiogram doesn’t provide sufficient details about the condition of your heart, a Holter monitoring device may be used.

This small, wearable gadget records heartbeats to gauge the risk of arrhythmias and is also useful to study unexplained fainting and other heart conditions that contribute to the risk of arrhythmias.

In the case of long-term monitoring that may last for weeks, a device called event monitor may be used.


Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

This test provides a comprehensive look into blood pressure changes over a typical day and night while you go about your regular activities. The key benefit of this test is its ability to detect abnormalities that might usually go unnoticed in a regular check-up session. A blood pressure spike overnight and in the early hours of the morning have been linked to potential heart problems.

Irregular blood pressure patterns can also indicate:

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Neurological system disorders
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Thyroid issues
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes

Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)

This is a simple test to detect peripheral artery disease (PAD), the narrowing of arteries to a point where the blood flow to arms and legs is reduced. By measuring the difference in blood pressure data taken at the ankle and the arm, our doctors will be able to detect the presence of blockages or narrowing of the arteries. Besides the pain you’ll feel on your legs when walking, PAD is also linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Here are some factors that increase your risk of PAD:

  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Restricted blood flow in other parts of the body

CT Scan

This is a quick and painless diagnostic examination that combines the use of x-rays and super computers. CT scans allow the radiologist to see the position, nature and extent of many different diseases or abnormalities inside your body using 3D visualisation.

Our centre uses the compact and user-friendly Siemens SOMATOM Perspective 128-slice CT scanners, capable of generating data and details quickly and accurately.

Services offered:

  • CT cardiac angiography
  • CT angiography – vascular flow
  • CT calcium scoring

Coronary Angiogram

This procedure uses x-ray imaging to inspect blood vessels in your heart, primarily to locate restrictions in blood flow. This is done using a special dye injected into the blood vessels of your heart. The dye is visible through our x-ray machine, which then takes a series of detailed images for inspection.

A coronary angiogram is recommended if you have:

  • Congenital heart conditions
  • A heart valve problem that needs surgical attention
  • Chest injuries
  • Chest pains (angina), including increasing pains (unstable angina)
  • Unexplained pains in your chest, jaw, neck or arm
  • Abnormal results on your recent stress test
  • Other blood vessel problems

Note: Keeping the possible risk of complications in mind, coronary angiograms are usually done only when other, non-invasive tests such as electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and stress tests have been performed and studied.


Coronary Angioplasty

This is a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries, by inserting a tiny balloon catheter into a blocked blood vessel. It effectively helps to widen the blood vessel to improve blood flow to the heart without resorting to open heart surgery. The procedure often includes the placement of a medication-coated stent (a wire mesh tube) to keep the arteries open.

Consider angioplasty if:

  • You have persistent heart problems even after taking prescribed medications and making drastic lifestyle changes
  • Your chest pains appear to be worsening
  • You have a heart attack. Angioplasty is also quickly administered as an emergency treatment to reduce further damage to your heart

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

In this procedure, the blocked part of your artery is bypassed by using a healthy blood vessel extracted from your chest or leg area. The healthy vessel will then be attached below the blocked artery, improving blood flow to the muscles of your heart.

This procedure, also often referred to as ‘CABG‘ or simply ‘heart bypass surgery‘, is recommended if you have:

  • A blockage or severe narrowing of the left main heart artery which channels a lot of blood to the heart
  • An angioplasty procedure hasn’t helped. Perhaps the arties have narrowed again despite stenting
  • Narrowing of several heart arteries causing severe chest pains that you experience even at rest
  • Several diseased heart arteries
  • A dysfunction of your lower left heart chamber

Electrophysiology Study and Ablation

Referred to in short as ‘EP’, this series of tests examines the heart’s electrical activity which produces impulses (or signals) that control the rhythm of heart beats. An EP study in our unit is performed by trained electrophysiologists capable of creating a very thorough map of how these impulses move between each heartbeat.

These tests are recommended if you:

  • Suffer from and have been diagnosed to have fast or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
  • Experienced unexplained and sudden loss of consciousness (passing out or fainting)
  • Are in need of cardiac ablation, using radiofrequency energy to remedy heart rhythm issues
  • Have heart conditions that puts you at the risk of sudden cardiac death

Highlights

Improved speed and better outcomes with our Hybrid Cath Lab

Our unit features among the latest technologies in emerging cardiac services: a hybrid catheterization lab that combines the diagnostic functions of a typical cath lab with the surgical functions of a complete operating room. By offering both functions in a single space, there will be no delays or the inconveniences.

This feature empowers our team to act collaboratively and quickly, in order to provide more safety for high risk procedures and further improve outcomes for our patients. You can also be assured of more accuracy as our surgeons can view their work right after surgery via angiogram to ensure the results are up to expectations.

Centre of Excellence: Cardiology Unit Contact Information

Clinic Contact Details

Level 1

Operation Hours

Monday – Friday:
8:30am to 5:30pm

Saturday:
8:30am to 12:30pm

Sunday and Public Holiday:
Closed

Payment Options

For your convenience, we accept payments via cash or credit cards.

For other credit card instalments, kindly consult your respective banks.

If you have a Guarantee Letter (GL) from a panel insurance company, kindly proceed to our Business Office Counter.