Cardio Services
Cardiology Services
At The Cardio Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of cardiology services to meet the needs of our patients.
Consultation and Assessment of Suspected Heart Conditions
Patients with heart disease symptoms will have a consultation with Dr. Tan Jian Jing, who will take a detailed medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination, including vital signs, weight, height, and body mass index.
Cardiac Screening
Our hearts work tirelessly, pumping over 3 billion times in a lifetime. Given this, it’s wise for some patients to undergo heart health screenings, especially those with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease. Dr. Tan Jian Jing will offer expert guidance on the necessary tests tailored to each patient’s needs, ensuring a personalized approach to optimal heart health.
General Health Screening
We provide comprehensive general health screenings, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and relevant investigations. Dr. Tan Jian Jing meticulously conducts each aspect of the process to give you a complete understanding of your health status.
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Management
Receive expert care for managing high cholesterol and high blood pressure, especially if you have complex forms of these conditions. Dr. Tan Jian Jing offers specialized assessments and tailored care, collaborating with your family physician for comprehensive management.
Comprehensive Blood Tests
We provide access to a range of blood tests, specifically tailored to meet your unique health needs. Dr. Tan Jian Jing ensures that each test is meticulously selected and customized to offer you the most accurate insights into your overall health status and well-being.
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a tracing of the electrical activity within your heart. The resting ECG is an invaluable initial test that can reveal various heart disorders and is essential for all patients with suspected heart disease. Dr. Tan Jian Jing utilizes this diagnostic tool to provide precise insights into your heart health.
Treadmill Stress Test
A treadmill stress ECG is conducted to screen patients for suspected significant blockages in their heart arteries. It is also valuable for assessing exercise tolerance and the stability of heart rhythm during physical activity. However, it is important to note that this test cannot detect minor narrowing of the heart arteries. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses this test to provide crucial insights into your cardiac health and exercise capacity.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of your heart that evaluates its structure, size, and strength, making it the gold standard for assessing heart valves. This safe and detailed test usually takes about 20 minutes to perform but cannot visualize the arteries of the heart. Dr. Tan Jian Jing utilizes this test to provide a thorough evaluation of your heart’s function and health.
24-hour Holter ECG Assessment
This assessment monitors your heartbeats over 24 hours using ECG leads taped to your chest and a small recording device, about the size of a mobile phone. This safe test tracks your heart rhythm during daily activities without hospital admission. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses it for insights into your heart’s rhythm throughout the day.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Assessment
Similar to the 24-hour Holter ECG, the ambulatory blood pressure device is worn for an entire day. It automatically measures your blood pressure at regular intervals throughout the day. This test is designed to assess your blood pressure during your usual activities and in your normal environment. It provides valuable information about your blood pressure patterns and average readings, offering a comprehensive view of your cardiovascular health.
CT Calcium Score and CT Coronary Angiography
A CT calcium score is a plain CT scan that measures calcium in your heart arteries, indirectly indicating blockages. It requires no contrast injection and cannot visualize the arteries or narrowing. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses it for initial calcification assessment.
In contrast, a CT coronary angiogram evaluates heart arteries for blockages and typically includes a CT calcium score.
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
This is a specialized stress test for your heart, involving the use of a small and safe amount of nuclear material that is injected into your bloodstream and detected through a heart scan. During this test, you may be asked to walk on a treadmill or receive medication to dilate your heart arteries or increase your heart rate. It assesses the amount of blood flow to your heart and does not directly visualize your heart arteries.
Coronary Angiography, Angioplasty and Stenting
A coronary angiogram is the gold standard test to assess your heart arteries for blockages. However, it is not performed on all patients presenting with chest pain due to the very small risk involved in this minimally invasive procedure. During a coronary angiogram, a catheter (a small but long tube) is inserted through an injection, usually via a blood vessel in your wrist, or sometimes through the groin if the wrist artery is not suitable.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (Percutaneous Heart Valve Replacement)
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a relatively new technology for implanting an artificial heart valve in place of a diseased original valve. It is used to treat Aortic Stenosis, a condition where the aortic valve becomes severely narrowed, usually due to aging. The aortic valve functions as a “door” in the heart that allows blood to flow in one direction.
Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis is an emergency procedure performed to remove fluid from around the heart. This intervention is used to treat Cardiac Tamponade, a condition where fluid or blood accumulates in the space between the heart muscle and the pericardium—the outer covering of the heart. The accumulated fluid can exert pressure on the heart muscle, causing a reduction in the amount of blood being pumped out from a “squeezed” heart. Without timely treatment, this condition poses a high risk of death.
Temporary Pacemaker Insertion
A temporary pacemaker involves the insertion of a wire into the heart chamber through an injection in the groin or neck. The wire’s primary function is to help the heart beat faster if the heart rate is too slow. This temporary measure is used to treat patients experiencing electrical heart blocks or severe slowing of their heart rate. Dr. Tan Jian Jing expertly performs this procedure to stabilize heart function and ensure the patient’s immediate needs are met while further treatment options are considered.
Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
A permanent pacemaker is a treatment option for patients with electrical heart blocks or severe slowing of their heart rate. This procedure involves a minor surgery in which a small pacemaker device is implanted just below the skin in the left or right upper chest. One or two wires are inserted into the heart chambers through an injection in these areas, and the wires are then connected to the pacemaker device, known as a pulse generator.
Electrophysiological Studies and Radiofrequency Ablation
An electrophysiological study is a minimally invasive procedure in which wires are inserted into the heart through injections in the groin and neck to assess its electrical activity. If abnormalities in the electrical pathways are detected, a treatment called radiofrequency ablation may be used to disrupt these pathways.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with or without Defibrillator (CRT/D) (in co-operation with a cardiac electrophysiologist)
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device similar to a pacemaker that is implanted under the skin in the left or right upper chest. One or two wires are inserted into the heart chambers via an injection in these areas, and these wires are then connected to the ICD. The ICD detects abnormal, life-threatening rhythms in the heart and, if necessary, automatically delivers a “shock” to restore normal rhythm, potentially saving the patient’s life.
Assessment and referral to the Cardiac Surgeon for Open Heart Surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass or Valve Replacement)
Our hearts work tirelessly every moment of the day, and for the average person in Singapore, it will have pumped more than 3 billion times over a lifetime. Given this incredible feat, it is wise for some patients to consider undergoing a screening evaluation to assess their heart health. This is particularly important for individuals with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, as well as those with a family history of heart disease or who are smokers. Dr. Tan Jian Jing will provide an expert opinion on which tests are required and most suitable for each specific patient, ensuring a personalized approach to maintaining optimal heart health.
Cardiology Services
At The Cardio Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of cardiology services to meet the needs of our patients.
Consultation and assessment of suspected heart conditions
Patients experiencing symptoms suggestive of heart disease will have a specialist consultation where Dr. Tan Jian Jing will take a comprehensive and detailed medical history. Following this, Dr. Tan will conduct a thorough physical examination, which includes measuring vital signs, weight, height, and body mass index. Based on these findings, Dr. Tan will make an initial diagnosis and recommend further evaluations and treatment options tailored to your specific needs.
Cardiac Screening
Our hearts work tirelessly every moment of the day, and for the average person in Singapore, it will have pumped more than 3 billion times over a lifetime. Given this incredible feat, it is wise for some patients to consider undergoing a screening evaluation to assess their heart health. This is particularly important for individuals with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, as well as those with a family history of heart disease or who are smokers. Dr. Tan Jian Jing will provide an expert opinion on which tests are required and most suitable for each specific patient, ensuring a personalized approach to maintaining optimal heart health.
General Health Screening
We offer comprehensive general health screening services that include a detailed medical history, thorough physical examination, blood test screening, and other relevant tests or investigations. Dr. Tan Jian Jing ensures that each aspect of the screening process is meticulously conducted to provide you with a complete understanding of your health status.
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Management
Receive expert care for managing high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Some patients may develop complex forms of these conditions that require specialized attention. Dr. Tan Jian Jing can conduct a specialist assessment and provide an advanced level of care tailored to your specific needs, working in partnership with your family physician to ensure comprehensive management.
Comprehensive Blood Tests
We provide access to a full and comprehensive range of blood tests, specifically tailored to meet your unique needs. Dr. Tan Jian Jing ensures that each test is carefully selected and customized to offer the most accurate insights into your health.
ECG
An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a tracing of the electrical activity within your heart. The resting ECG is an invaluable initial test that can reveal various heart disorders and is essential for all patients with suspected heart disease. Dr. Tan Jian Jing utilizes this diagnostic tool to provide precise insights into your heart health.
Treadmill Stress Test
A treadmill stress ECG is conducted to screen patients for suspected significant blockages in their heart arteries. It is also valuable for assessing exercise tolerance and the stability of heart rhythm during physical activity. However, it is important to note that this test cannot detect minor narrowing of the heart arteries. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses this test to provide crucial insights into your cardiac health and exercise capacity.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of your heart that assesses its structure, size, and strength. Additionally, it is the gold standard test for evaluating the heart valves. This test is extremely useful and importantly, it poses no risk. It typically takes about 20 minutes to perform. However, it is important to note that an echocardiogram cannot visualize the arteries of the heart. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses this test to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your heart’s function and health.
24hr Holter ECG Assessment
This assessment monitors every beat of your heart over a 24-hour period. It is a simple and safe test where ECG leads are taped to your chest and connected to a small recording device, roughly the size of a mobile phone. This device continuously tracks your heart rhythm during your usual daily activities. There’s no need for hospital admission for this test. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses this method to gain a detailed understanding of your heart’s rhythm throughout the day.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Assessment
Similar to the 24-hour Holter ECG, the ambulatory blood pressure device is worn for an entire day. It automatically measures your blood pressure at regular intervals throughout the day. This test is designed to assess your blood pressure during your usual activities and in your normal environment. It provides valuable information about your blood pressure patterns and average readings, offering a comprehensive view of your cardiovascular health. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses this method to gather critical insights into your blood pressure behavior.
CT Calcium Score and CT Cornory Angiography
A CT calcium score is a plain CT scan that calculates the amount of calcium in your heart arteries, providing an indirect indication of blockages. It does not require a contrast injection and cannot visualize the heart arteries or any narrowing within them. Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses this method for an initial assessment of calcification in your heart arteries.
In comparison, a CT coronary angiogram is a non-invasive test that assesses your heart arteries for blockages and usually includes a CT calcium score. This procedure requires a contrast injection via a venous cannula in your arm. Medications to reduce your heart rate and dilate your heart arteries may also be administered. This test visualizes the heart arteries and gives a rough indication of the severity of any blockages detected. It is very accurate if no blockage is present but can sometimes be less precise if moderate or severe narrowing is noted. Dr. Tan Jian Jing utilizes this advanced imaging method to provide a detailed evaluation of your heart arteries.
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
This is a specialized stress test for your heart, involving the use of a small and safe amount of nuclear material that is injected into your bloodstream and detected through a heart scan. During this test, you may be asked to walk on a treadmill or receive medication to dilate your heart arteries or increase your heart rate. It assesses the amount of blood flow to your heart and does not directly visualize your heart arteries. This test is particularly useful in determining whether you need to unblock arteries in your heart and is especially beneficial for patients who are unable to perform a treadmill stress test. Dr. Tan Jian Jing utilizes this method to provide critical insights into your heart’s blood flow and overall health.
Coronary Angiography, Angioplasty and Stenting (either via radial or femoral access)
A coronary angiogram is the gold standard test to assess your heart arteries for blockages. However, it is not performed on all patients presenting with chest pain due to the very small risk involved in this minimally invasive procedure. During a coronary angiogram, a catheter (a small but long tube) is inserted through an injection, usually via a blood vessel in your wrist, or sometimes through the groin if the wrist artery is not suitable. The catheter is carefully advanced to your heart arteries under x-ray guidance. Once in position, a contrast dye is injected through the catheter into your heart arteries, making them visible under x-ray. This allows Dr. Tan Jian Jing to visualize the heart arteries and assess for any blockages.
Coronary angioplasty (ballooning) and stenting are treatments for heart artery blockages, performed during the same procedure as the coronary angiogram, thus remaining minimally invasive. No surgery is involved. After identifying a blockage, a tiny wire is inserted into the heart artery across the blockage. Then, a small balloon attached to the tip of a smaller catheter is threaded over the wire and inflated at the site of the blockage. Almost always, a stent, which is a cylindrical wire mesh shaped like a tube, is placed at the blockage site and inflated. The stent is mounted on a small deflated balloon on the tip of another small catheter, advanced over the wire to the blockage site, and then inflated to anchor against the artery wall. Everything is removed at the end of the procedure except the stent, which remains in the artery permanently to act as a scaffold, keeping the artery open.
Not all blockages need to be unblocked, and not all patients with blockages are suitable for stenting. Dr. Tan Jian Jing will discuss the most appropriate treatment after the coronary angiogram. Sometimes, patients only require medications, but a small proportion may need bypass surgery, which is an open-heart surgery.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (Percutaneous Heart Valve Replacement)
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a relatively new technology for implanting an artificial heart valve in place of a diseased original valve. It is used to treat Aortic Stenosis, a condition where the aortic valve becomes severely narrowed, usually due to aging. The aortic valve functions as a “door” in the heart that allows blood to flow in one direction. Patients suffering from Aortic Stenosis often experience breathlessness on exertion, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting. Without treatment, the risk of death is very high.
Previously, the only treatment option was open-heart surgery to replace the valve. However, because this condition typically affects the elderly, many patients were at high risk for surgery and could not undergo the procedure. Today, TAVI offers an effective and relatively safe alternative for these patients. During TAVI, Dr. Tan Jian Jing uses an artificial valve made from animal tissue, which is mounted on a tube or catheter. This tube is inserted, usually through an injection in the groin, and advanced through the blood vessels to the heart, where it is deployed over the original heart valve.
TAVI provides a life-saving option for patients with severe aortic stenosis, offering hope and improved quality of life with a less invasive procedure compared to traditional open-heart surgery.
Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis is an emergency procedure performed to remove fluid from around the heart. This intervention is used to treat Cardiac Tamponade, a condition where fluid or blood accumulates in the space between the heart muscle and the pericardium—the outer covering of the heart. The accumulated fluid can exert pressure on the heart muscle, causing a reduction in the amount of blood being pumped out from a “squeezed” heart. Without timely treatment, this condition poses a high risk of death.
During pericardiocentesis, Dr. Tan Jian Jing inserts a needle into the lower central chest or left lower chest to withdraw the excess fluid. Often, a small tube is left in place to continue draining residual fluid for a few days. This procedure provides immediate relief and stabilizes the patient, ensuring that the heart can resume its normal function.
Temporary Pacemaker Insertion
A temporary pacemaker involves the insertion of a wire into the heart chamber through an injection in the groin or neck. The wire’s primary function is to help the heart beat faster if the heart rate is too slow. This temporary measure is used to treat patients experiencing electrical heart blocks or severe slowing of their heart rate. Dr. Tan Jian Jing expertly performs this procedure to stabilize heart function and ensure the patient’s immediate needs are met while further treatment options are considered.
Permanent Pacemaker Implantation (in co-operation with a cardiac electrophysiologist)
A permanent pacemaker is a treatment option for patients with electrical heart blocks or severe slowing of their heart rate. This procedure involves a minor surgery in which a small pacemaker device is implanted just below the skin in the left or right upper chest. One or two wires are inserted into the heart chambers through an injection in these areas, and the wires are then connected to the pacemaker device, known as a pulse generator. The pacemaker ensures that the heart beats faster whenever it slows down, providing a reliable solution for maintaining an optimal heart rate. Dr. Tan Jian Jing performs this procedure with precision, offering patients a long-term remedy for their heart rhythm issues.
Electrophysiological Studies and Radiofrequency Ablation (in co-operation with a cardiac electrophysiologist)
An electrophysiological study is a minimally invasive procedure in which wires are inserted into the heart through injections in the groin and neck to assess its electrical activity. If abnormalities in the electrical pathways are detected, a treatment called radiofrequency ablation may be used to disrupt these pathways. This ablation procedure also uses wires and radiofrequency heat to target and treat the affected areas. Radiofrequency ablation is highly effective for treating conditions such as supraventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia, providing patients with significant relief and improved heart function.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with or without Defibrillator (CRT/D) (in co-operation with a cardiac electrophysiologist)
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device similar to a pacemaker that is implanted under the skin in the left or right upper chest. One or two wires are inserted into the heart chambers via an injection in these areas, and these wires are then connected to the ICD. The ICD detects abnormal, life-threatening rhythms in the heart and, if necessary, automatically delivers a “shock” to restore normal rhythm, potentially saving the patient’s life. ICDs are typically implanted in patients with weak hearts who are at a high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy, with or without a defibrillator (CRT/D), is implanted similarly to an ICD but requires the insertion of three wires. This device not only has the ability to “shock” the heart like an ICD when needed but also synchronizes the timing of the right and left heart contractions. In selected patients, CRT can help to strengthen weak hearts. Dr. Tan Jian Jing will discuss with you if you are a candidate for CRT, explaining how this advanced therapy can enhance your heart function and provide critical protection against life-threatening arrhythmias.
Assessment and referral to the Cardiac Surgeon for Open Heart Surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass or Valve Replacement)
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