A Second Chance at Life—and Climbing 12 Flights to Prove It

Mr Quek Chun Seng’s heart attack struck without warning. One moment, he was repairing a car — something he had done countless times. The next, he was struggling to breathe. What began as a bout of breathlessness quickly escalated: cold sweat, worsening chest pain and an inability to even smoke a cigarette — his usual habit. Then came an alarming sign — he defecated unintentionally. That moment pushed him to seek help.

He visited a polyclinic, where a doctor confirmed the seriousness of the situation — he was in the midst of a heart attack. His family rushed him to the hospital. Emergency surgery followed.

The speed of the diagnosis and intervention saved his life.

After his discharge, Mr Quek was introduced to the Singapore Heart Foundation’s Heart Wellness Centre (HWC). He started visiting the Centre two to three times a week, though his routine has since been adjusted to weekly sessions. Each visit includes a 15-minute treadmill walk, followed by guided strength training under the supervision of a physiotherapist. These are not generic workouts — they are designed to help cardiac patients rebuild their strength, safely and steadily.

The difference in his health is remarkable. Before the programme, he could not manage to climb even a single flight of stairs without gasping for air. Today, he can climb 12 flights at his HDB block — that would have been unthinkable before his recovery.

Mr Quek believes strongly that heart disease survivors should not take recovery for granted. “Without exercise,” he says, “even walking can wear you out.” He makes a point to encourage his friends to join the programme, though he acknowledges that more could be done to bring others on board. The challenge isn’t just medical — in nature, it is also about changing mindsets.

As SHF marks 55 years of service, Mr Quek hopes it continues to grow and evolve. For him, SHF has been more than a place of recovery — it has given him the tools to reclaim his life. His message is straightforward: with a determined heart, recovery is possible. But support, structure and professional care — like that which are offered at HWC — are essential.

To learn more about the Heart Wellness Programme, visit https://www.myheart.org.sg/heart-wellness-programme/.