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Singapore Heart Foundation Launches Blood Pressure Awareness Kiosks and Community Initiatives to Combat Hypertension on National Heart Week / World Heart Day 2024
Singapore, 28 September 2024 – In conjunction with National Heart Week / World Heart Day (NHW/WHD) 2024, the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) announces the launch of the Blood Pressure (BP) Awareness Kiosks in community spaces. Singaporeans will get to participate in a series of community events and initiatives; this is a key part of SHF’s strategy to grow discerning citizens and equip them with the appropriate knowledge on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to ultimately be able to combat hypertension. By making BP measurement readily accessible to the public, SHF provides a holistic experience that elevates public awareness on the importance of monitoring one’s own BP and making BP monitoring a regular task.
Dr Lin Weiqin, Vice Chairperson of SHF’s National Heart Week/World Heart Day Organising Committee 2024 said, “Hypertension is on the rise, yet many of us are still largely unaware of how to protect ourselves from this condition. Hypertension, if undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to heart disease among other health problems. These health problems can lead to premature deaths. Through our various initiatives and partnerships as part of National Heart Week/World Heart Day, we hope to continue to increase public awareness of the risks associated with hypertension and other cardiovascular disease. Ultimately, we hope to encourage Singaporeans to adopt healthier lifestyles through these initiatives.”
Know Your Numbers
BP Awareness Kiosks
Hypertension is becoming increasingly prevalent in Singapore, where over one-third of the population aged 18 to 74 is now affected. To address this growing concern, SHF has partnered with Terumo Asia Holdings to roll out an upgraded version of the BP Awareness Kiosks in community clubs, schools and workplaces. A list of locations is available in the appendix.
“Terumo Asia Holdings is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Singapore Heart Foundation to be part of this nationwide initiative in promoting awareness for hypertension among Singaporeans,” said Mr Bernard Tan, Country Director – Singapore Commercial of Terumo Asia Holdings.
The BP Awareness Booth was first introduced in Sep 2023 and is part of a joint effort to promote healthier lifestyles; it has since made BP monitoring convenient and easily accessible to the public. This year, the kiosks will have new features: An arm-in BP monitor, BP reading print outs that enable users to receive customised follow-ups, and interactive quizzes that encourage users to learn more and win attractive prizes such as discount vouchers to purchase BP monitors. The users’ BP readings will also be analysed to identify opportunities for improving the kiosks in the future.
Since 1 Aug 2024, SHF has partnered with SingHealth, SMRT Trains and Terumo Asia Holdings to pilot the launch of the BP Awareness Kiosks. Aptly dubbed the Health@Station Kiosks, these pop-ups located at Tanjong Pagar and Promenade MRT stations will encourage commuters to check their BP and understand more about their Body Mass Index (BMI).
“It’s an interesting initiative, to have the kiosks so readily accessible at the train stations. It allows on-the-go commuters to experience the interactive services the kiosk offers and, it serves also as a visual reminder for the rest of us to be conscious of our health as we pass by the kiosk every day,” shared Ms Cassandra Loh, user of the Health@Station Kiosk at Tanjong Pagar MRT station.
Limbang-SHF Health Carnival
This year’s NHW/WHD will host the Limbang-SHF Health Carnival on Saturday, 28 Sep 2024. With its theme “Know Your Numbers”, its tagline “Score Right, Not High!”, this event held in collaboration with Limbang AAC will happen near the vicinity of Yew Tee MRT station will focus on raising public awareness on BP monitoring and on how chronic heart diseases will have a direct impact on one’s heart health. The complete programme of the event can be found in the appendix.
The health carnival will be graced by Mr Ong Teng Koon, Second Advisor to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC GROs (Limbang), and affirms the goal of SHF to host a variety of activities to educate the public on CVD prevention. Visitors will get to participate in mass workout sessions, to glean tips from cooking demonstration, health talks, and exhibition booths that offer a variety of interactive activities such as quizzes and games.
Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Excessive sodium intake is a significant risk factor for hypertension.
As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting heart health, SHF is launching a series of initiatives to educate the public about the importance of reducing sodium in their diets.
Record-Breaking Mass Salt Taste Threshold Test at ITE
In collaboration with ITE College West, SHF will organise a Mass Salt Taste Threshold Test on Tuesday, 1 October, for 1,000 students and staff. The salt taste threshold refers to the concentration at which an individual can identify the taste of salt. This test helps participants to understand their salt sensitivity and make more informed dietary choices to manage their sodium intake. The event aims to set a new record in the Singapore Book of Record for the largest number of people participating in the Salt Taste Threshold Test together. The full programme of the event is found in the appendix.
Ms Alice Seow, Principal of ITE College West, said, “Health education is a key aspect of our approach to holistic education. It equips our students with essential knowledge that supports their well-being, and encourages them to develop healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. The Mass Salt Taste Threshold Test enhances their understanding of nutrition, allowing them to share their knowledge with families and the wider community.”
BP Initiative @ Community
Leveraging on the success of the BP Initiative @ Schools, a BP awareness programme tailor made for Upper Primary and Lower Secondary School students, will see SHF’s relentless effort in bringing the excitement of the BP Initiative programme to the community. The BP Initiative @ Community will engage community clubs to inculcate the public appreciation of the importance of managing BP and understanding the dangers of hypertension. This initiative spotlights the Salt Taste Threshold Test, which invites members of the public to challenge the limits in their intake of salt consumption.
Sodium Reduction Initiative
In addition, a Sodium Reduction Initiative will introduce the salt taste threshold test at SHF’s Heart Wellness Centres, which serves more than 3,000 heart patients and at-risk individuals. This experiment aims to improve heart health by managing one’s sodium consumption.
“Through the 21-day reverse salty tastebuds challenge, I’ve learned to appreciate the natural flavours of food without overwhelming them with sodium. Reducing my salt intake has not only made me feel healthier, but also assures me that I’m protecting my heart for the long term. This journey, under the guidance and support from Ms Natalie Yeo, a Senior Dietitian from the Singapore Heart Foundation, has demonstrated to me how small changes in my diet could help me in weight management and also make a difference to my heart health,” shared Mdm Tan Seok Hoon, a Heart Wellness Centre’s client who underwent the Reverse Salty Tastebuds 21-day Challenge.
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) is one of the schools to pioneer the Sodium Reduction Initiative. This collaboration with NYP follows research indicating a high sodium intake among its students and staff, prompting us to expand hypertension education across NYP’s various courses.
Social Media Engagement
SHF has leveraged on social media to rally the public to raise awareness in heart health knowledge. The Heart Facts Contest, which ran from 26 Aug to 13 Sep 2024, on SHF’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok platforms encouraged individuals to share interesting heart facts and to start a chain reaction for the public to take proactive steps to maintain good heart health. More details can be found here.
Following a global movement to illuminate well known buildings and landmarks in red to commemorate Go Red for World Heart Day, over 20 prominent buildings and notable landmarks in Singapore will light up the buildings in red from 27 to 30 September 2024. Another social media contest will be held to encourage the public to share photos of these illuminated landmarks. A list of participating landmarks and buildings can be found here.
A full list of SHF’s activities and further details is also available in the appendix.
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Appendix
About the Singapore Heart Foundation’s National Heart Week/World Heart Day 2024
Date: 28 Sep 2024, Saturday
Time: 10am – 8pm
Venue: Hard Court outside Yew Tee MRT | Blk 563 Choa Chu Kang Pavilion | Yew Tee Community Club
Guest of Honour: Mr Ong Teng Koon, Second Advisor to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC GROs (Limbang)
Theme: Know Your Numbers
Tagline: Score Right, Not High!
National Heart Week/World Heart Day (NHW/WHD) is an annual event organised by the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF); it is aimed at educating Singaporeans about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the preventive measures they could take to maintain heart health. This year, SHF partners with Limbang AAC to organise the Limbang-SHF Health Carnival, in celebration of NHW/WHD.
This year’s NHW/WHD aligns with the Healthier SG strategy and the government’s commitment to control sodium intake and high blood pressure among Singaporeans.
Why is “Know Your Numbers” the focus of National Heart Week/World Heart Day (NHW/WHD) 2024?
Hypertension, or persistent high blood pressure, is a growing concern in Singapore; it affects over one-third of the population aged 18 to 74. If left unmanaged, hypertension could lead to severe health complications, including heart disease and stroke. This year’s theme, “Know Your Numbers”, encourages people to monitor their blood pressure (BP) regularly and to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent hypertension-related conditions.
What will be announced during NHW/WHD 2024?
- BP Awareness Kiosks v2 will be placed at various community locations, offering free BP monitoring and educational activities.
- Mass Salt Taste Threshold Test will take place on Tuesday, 1 Oct 2024 at ITE College West; the aim is to reduce sodium intake among ITE staff and students. This event also aims to break a Singapore Book of Records of the highest number of people taking the Salt Taste Threshold Test together.
- Expansion of the BP Initiative from Schools to the Community.
What is the purpose of the Blood Pressure Awareness Kiosks and where are they found?
To prevent hypertension and to encourage early detection of high blood pressure, SHF piloted the BP Awareness Booths at community spaces in May 2023 to ensure easy access to BP monitors.
These Booths were also introduced in staff rooms in schools and in the workplaces of our corporate partners to encourage busy staff members to take just one step to be in control of their own health.
Heartened by its success in the initiative, SHF partnered with MedTech Terumo Asia Holdings to sign an MOU on 25 May 2024, which coincided with the May Blood Pressure Measurement Month and roll out an upgraded version of the BP Awareness Kiosks v2 from the next quarter of 2024 at community clubs, schools and workplaces, including Heartbeat@Bedok, ITE College West, Seagate and Toa Payoh West CC.
Full list of locations is available at here.
What is the BP Initiative @ Schools?
The BP Initiative @ Schools is a programme run by SHF aimed at raising awareness about hypertension among Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students. The initiative educates students on the importance of monitoring blood pressure and adopting healthy lifestyle habits early in life, to prevent CVD.
Key Components:
- Education on BP and Heart Health: Provides students with foundational knowledge about BP, its significance and how it impacts overall heart health.
- Interactive Learning Activities: Includes interactive sessions such as quizzes and hands-on BP measurement.
- Healthy Lifestyle Promotion: Promotes healthy habits such as reducing sodium intake, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress.
What is the Community BP Initiative and who may participate in the talk?
Building on the success of the BP Initiative @ Schools, SHF will extend the initiative to the community. This broader approach aims to reach a wider audience, including families and local communities, and to further promote awareness and management of hypertension.
Key Components:
- Education on BP and Heart Health: Emphasises BP ranges and the risks associated with hypertension, including heart disease and stroke.
- Interactive Learning Activities: Salt Taste Threshold Test activities are used to educate the public on the effects of sodium intake on blood pressure, and to help them identify their sensitivity to salt.
- Healthy Lifestyle Promotion: Provides practical advice on how to incorporate healthy habits into daily routines.
What is the Mass Salt Taste Threshold Test Event?
The Salt Taste Threshold Test is a simple and effective method, which allows participants to understand their salt sensitivity. By identifying their salt taste threshold, they could better understand their dietary habits, and therefore make informed choices to manage their sodium intake.
The event also aims to break a Singapore Book of Record for the largest number of participants performing simultaneously the Salt Taste Threshold Test.
Why is SHF collaborating with ITE College West?
- Creating Early Awareness and Healthy Habits
SHF hopes to educate a younger audience about the importance of sodium management and the link between excessive salt consumption and hypertension. Early intervention helps to inculcate healthy eating habits, which are more likely to be sustained throughout their life; thereby, reducing their risk of CVD. - Leveraging On Existing Health Initiatives
ITE College West is an ideal partner for the event, as they have been deeply involved in health and wellness initiatives. By working with a school that is proactive in supporting health initiatives , SHF can readily integrate the Salt Taste Threshold Test into the school’s ongoing health programmes. - Promoting Community Involvement and Collaboration
Partnering with ITE College West also aligns with SHF’s broader strategy of engaging communities through collaboration with education institutions. It provides a platform for SHF to strengthen its partnerships and leverage the institution’s resources and networks to more effectively promote heart health.
