Assoc. Prof. Dr. Choo Wai Sun

Experience n explained very clearly..

I cannot agree more, as an echocardiogram exclude HOCM as well as other cardiological conditions which may be detrimental to high impact exercise. The acronym, NHAM ( or any association ) does not indicate a Gazetted Interventional Cardiologist. Non Cardiologist such as Dr Abdul Rashid ( MSH ), Dr Arifin Mohd Ali ( Columbia Asia ) are members of the NHAM.

Sorry, I forgot to mention in the earlier post that the reason for doing the ECHO in the health check up because I want to do regular running and thinking about half marathon. Heard that a man aged 29 years old died during the finishing km of the Standard Chartered Marathon in Singapore 4th Dec 2016: http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/standard-chartered-marathon-singapore-29-year-old-man-dies-after-collapsing-during-half

So, just to check that my heart is ok before putting my heart to the test!

Read from forbes.com "Why do healthy people die running marathons" article on Apr 15 2014 that a rare genetic condition called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy ie a thickened heart causing the heart to pump very hard during exercise. This leads to sudden cardiac arrest. And an ECHO can detect this thickened heart. So, why do other Doctors never suggest to do an ECHO for people

who do competitive sports?

Saw Dr Choo as my cholesterol is high on a health screening blood test. I thought that since I am only in my early fourties, I do not have to worry about high cholesterol yet since I do not have high blood pressure, diabetes and I do not smoke. Dr Choo did a ECHO of my heart and it was normal. He then did a ultrasound of my neck to look at the carotid arteries which are blood vessels at the neck. He told me that there are early cholesterol plagues on it suggesting that my high cholesterol has been laid on it and this may lead to strokes after many years. I started on my cholesterol lowering pills on the same day.

If he had not done the neck scan, honestly, I would not have done anything. No wonder nowadays, people get heart attacks and strokes in their fifties and sixties! Thank God for Dr Choo who had been thorough in his management.