SINGAPORE: At 37, Alvin Mercado experienced his first heart attack while at a clinic with his daughter, leading to an emergency stent procedure. Despite healthier lifestyle changes, he suffered a second heart attack nine months later, reflecting a growing trend of younger Singaporeans facing heart issues; the National Heart Centre now sees over 120,000 consultations annually. Major risk factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in Singapore, accounting for nearly a third of deaths in 2023.
