Consultation& Assessment of Suspected Heart Conditions

Experience a consistent standard of
cardiovascular care.

Take the first step towards better heart health by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Tan Jian Jing.

What a cardiology consultation involves

A first consultation begins with the history. What the symptom feels like, what brings it on, how long it lasts, what relieves it and what accompanies it often narrows the possibilities more than any single test. Past medical history, medications, family history and lifestyle are reviewed alongside.

A physical examination follows, including blood pressure, pulse, listening to the heart and lungs, and looking for signs such as swelling. An ECG is commonly recorded at the same visit.

Which symptoms warrant assessment

Common reasons to see a cardiologist include chest discomfort, particularly when brought on by exertion; breathlessness that is new or worsening; palpitations; light-headedness or blackouts; swelling of the ankles; and abnormal findings on a screening test or an ECG done for another reason.

Assessment is also appropriate where there is a strong family history of heart disease at a young age, or where risk factors such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol or diabetes need cardiovascular review.

What happens after the first visit

Depending on the findings, further tests may be arranged — a scan of the heart, longer rhythm monitoring, an assessment under exertion, or imaging of the coronary arteries. Results are then reviewed together with the initial findings before conclusions are drawn.

Bringing a list of your current medications, any previous ECGs, scans or test results, and a note of your main symptoms makes the first consultation more useful.

Do not wait for a scheduled appointment if you develop severe or persistent chest pain, sudden severe breathlessness, or you faint. In an emergency in Singapore, call 995 or go to the nearest emergency department.