Women Heart At Work

As we celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 Mar, we caught up with three remarkable women in the heart health industry to learn more about their ‘heart’ works and how they have made a positive impact on improving patients’ cardiovascular health.

By SAMANTHA CHAN

I am Natalie, a dietitian at SHF’s Heart Wellness Centre. I mainly provide nutrition assessment, support, counselling and education to our cardiac clients, their families/ caregivers individually and in groups.

I also conduct nutrition talks, cooking demonstrations, supermarket tours and workshops.

Why did you choose to be a dietitian?
Growing up, nutrition has always occupied a special place in my heart. Extending beyond food as an entity, I believe that food is a form of art and beauty.

Everyone has a unique story to tell when it comes to their journey with food/nutrition. It has been a humble experience as a dietitian to be there to support my clients through their recovery journey.

Share one heart healthy habit you like.
I love the Heart Smart Eating Plate concept introduced by SHF with the aim to encourage a balanced mix of food, maximise nutrient intake and practise portion control among members of the public! It serves as a useful guide for a healthy and balanced diet. The more colours we add to our plate, the more we expand our horizon of nutritious benefits.

How can our readers protect their hearts?
Adopt one habit at a time. Every small step you take goes a long way. It could be as simple as adding more vegetables to one meal or swapping morning breakfast from two slices of white bread to an interesting sandwich with one slice of white bread and another slice of wholemeal bread.

I am Dr Chan Wan Xian, a heart specialist in private practice, with clinical interests in heart failure and cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body).

How are you involved in the Singapore Heart Foundation?
I volunteer as the chairperson of the Go Red for Women committee and am also a member of the editorial committee at the Singapore Heart Foundation.

Consistent to its mission, I am passionate to do my part to motivate our community in heart disease prevention and to reduce disability and death caused by cardiovascular disease.

Has your job affected your perception of health in the family?
My job reminds me that good health is a foundation to a happy and fulfilled life, thus I set healthy lifestyle habits in the family, to help my children develop their lives to the fullest.

To inculcate an active lifestyle, I organise frequent outdoor activities as a family, and encourage them to try out different sports, in hope of finding something that suits them.

How can our readers protect their hearts?
Go for regular health screening to detect risk factors early. Prevention works better than treatment. Do not take our healthy hearts for granted, and together we can make Singapore a heart healthier nation.

I am Shumin, a Senior Physiotherapist at the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)’s Heart Wellness Centre. My role in SHF is to guide clients after their cardiac surgery and at-risk individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes and/or high blood cholesterol to exercise safely and effectively.

What do you like about your job?
I get to meet people from all walks of life as part of my job. By understanding my clients’ lifestyles, I can give them tailored advice, and I find it very rewarding to know that they heed my advice and are closer to a healthier lifestyle.

Share one heart healthy habit you have.
With nature reserves being more accessible, I often take my children out to a nature reserve to keep the whole family fit. These sessions can not only keep us active, but also relax our minds and allow us to bond as a family.

How can our readers protect their hearts?
Exercising does not need to be a chore. Explore different types of exercise to find the one that you enjoy. You can make it even easier if it is done with a friend or family member.