We love our hawker delicacies, however are we what we eat? We communicate to a health care provider to search out out if the everyday Singaporean food regimen contributes to hypertension and different coronary heart well being points.
With pocket-friendly hawker centres and meals selections at each nook, it’s no marvel Singapore is touted as a meals paradise. However do you know that some native delicacies run the danger of spiking the salt and sugar ranges in your food regimen? Many delicious Singaporean dishes could be extremely unwholesome, making you extra susceptible to creating hypertension (also called hypertension) when consumed in extra. If left untreated, hypertension will lead to varied issues akin to an elevated danger of coronary heart assault, stroke, kidney failure and different critical well being circumstances. Right here, we delve into the center of the matter with Dr Joshua Loh, senior marketing consultant heart specialist at Capital Coronary heart Centre.
Is your fave laksa or nasi lemak surging your blood strain?
Let’s be actual, we love our native delicacies like nasi lemak, mee goreng, laksa and yong tau foo. However right here’s the unhealthy information: they comprise astonishing quantities of salt that exceed the really helpful day by day consumption of 1 teaspoon. And also you in all probability guessed it, a sodium overload can result in the event and exacerbation of hypertension. For one, Dr Joshua Loh explains that prime salt consumption results in elevated water retention within the physique, thereby straining blood vessels and elevating blood strain. What’s extra, extreme salt contributes to artery stiffening, impeding their capacity to increase and contract as wanted. This, in flip, elevates blood strain.

Psst: lay off that kopi and milo too!
For those who suppose all’s protected along with your favorite drinks, right here’s one other powerful tablet to swallow: the sugar content material of native drinks like bubble tea, milo dinosaur and kopi additionally surpasses the really helpful day by day restrict of 10 teaspoons. “Consuming extra sugar can play a task within the onset and worsening of diabetes, one other power situation affecting the blood vessels, by elements akin to insulin resistance, power irritation and weight acquire,” says Dr Joshua Loh.
Right here’s what a food regimen for a wholesome coronary heart seems to be like…
A basic rule of thumb? All issues sparsely, and steer clear of extreme salt and sugar, saturated fats and potassium. As an alternative of salt and sauces, go for herbs and spices to boost your meals, and take a look at skipping the gravies and MSG-laden soups when eating out. Want recommendations on shedding sugary drinks? Convey a bottle crammed with water so that you gained’t be tempted to get a sugar-laden drink.
It goes with out saying {that a} wholesome life-style includes extra than simply optimising your food regimen. “Whether or not it’s exercising frequently, limiting alcohol consumption or quitting smoking, small life-style adjustments can go a good distance in decreasing the danger of hypertension,” says Dr Joshua Loh. Oh, holding your psychological well-being, stress ranges and weight in verify will do wonders, too!

Attending to the center of the issue with consultants
For those who’re fearful about your danger of hypertension, Dr Joshua Loh advises you to do an total well being evaluation along with your GP first. The GP can then refer you to a heart specialist when you want additional assist in controlling the strain in your coronary heart.
Look out for these tell-tale indicators on when to hunt a heart specialist: uncontrollably hypertension regardless of life-style adjustments and medicines; presence of different cardiovascular danger elements like diabetes or excessive ldl cholesterol; organ harm attributable to hypertension; in addition to extreme signs akin to chest ache, shortness of breath and imaginative and prescient issues. In case your hypertension is suspected to be secondary to an underlying medical situation, it’s additionally an enormous signal to seek the advice of a heart specialist!

Have any trigger for concern? Think about making an appointment with the consultants at Capital Coronary heart Centre. Led by senior marketing consultant interventional heart specialist Dr Joshua Loh, who’s well-versed in coronary heart well being and brings a wealth of data from 15 over years of expertise, Capital Coronary heart Centre affords providers and procedures from prevention to remedy tailor-made to your particular wants. Count on an expert and devoted crew alongside up-to-date medical providers and practices.
Right here’s your signal to have your fave native delicacies sparsely for the sake of your coronary heart well being – and remember to e-book a health care provider’s appointment when you spot any regarding signs!
This submit is in partnership with Past Medical Group.