Building Strength After a Sudden Heart Event

Mr Chua Aik Boon’s turning point came in Dec 2020. While volunteering his service, he began experiencing nausea and chest discomfort — symptoms he initially brushed off. A friend recognised the urgency and took him to the National University Hospital (NUH), where tests confirmed a cardiovascular event.

After his discharge and initial recovery, Mr Chua was introduced to the Singapore Heart Foundation’s Heart Wellness Centre (HWC). He has since stayed committed to the programme for more than three years.

What kept him going was not just the structure, but the encouragement from the staff. He credits team members like Joanna, Eileen and Jiabin for their hands-on support and motivation. Without their presence, he admits, he would have struggled to maintain any form of regular exercise.

Despite his demanding job, Mr Chua makes it a point to visit the centre weekly. He believes these sessions have played a critical role in rebuilding his stamina, and allowed him to manage the pressure of work post-recovery. In fact, he now considers himself fitter than before his heart incident.

Inspired by his recovery, Mr Chua has taken on cycling to improve his physical fitness. One of his proudest achievements was cycling 800 kilometres from Phuket to Bangkok. His next goal: cycling around Jeju Island. These milestones were once unthinkable, but are now possible through disciplined rehabilitation and a commitment to staying healthy.

He continues to encourage others to join HWC sessions, citing the regular health checks and the personalised guidance that make the programme effective. “They monitor you. They make sure you’re safe. That makes the big difference,” he says.

Mr Chua’s motivation is simple — he wants to be present as his children grow up. For him, resilience is not just physical — it’s about making smarter choices, staying consistent with exercise and avoiding foods high in cholesterol.

Find out more about the Heart Wellness Programme.