Minister Edwin Tong urged public to get regular health checks after doctors discovered he had severely blocked coronary artery

SINGAPORE: Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong shared in a Tuesday night (Aug 8) Facebook post that doctors discovered a severely blocked coronary artery during a routine health check.

“This was significant because it is the main and largest artery supplying blood to the heart,” he wrote, adding that the discovery and the risks it carries had come as quite a shock to him, as he is not diabetic, does not smoke, has good cholesterol levels and leads a fairly active lifestyle with regular exercise.

And while Mr Tong acknowledged feeling “a little more tired from my regular routine than usual,” which he attributed to his busy schedule, he said that he had been feeling fairly well and had no other symptoms and risk factors.

“So it’s fortunate that I managed to have this picked up in good time through a routine health check. This episode is another reminder for us all to not take our health for granted – and to go for our regular health checks!”

A heart attack is caused by a completely blocked coronary artery, so it’s truly fortunate that doctors discovered the blockage during the Minister’s health exam.

Mr Tong said that on Tuesday morning, he underwent an angiogram, which clarified the diagnosis, and then an angioplasty.

After this, a stent was inserted into the Left Anterior Descending blocked artery to restore blood flow.

He thanked the medical team for taking care of him, saying that the doctors and nurses “are looking after me brilliantly,” but added that he would need to reduce some activities for a while and will be working from home.

“I want to extend my apologies for missing various events, and to the event organisers as well, for any inconvenience caused.

In the meantime, I will be spending this year’s National Day in hospital. Will have to be cheering the Red Lions and everyone else at NDP through the TV screen this year!

Happy National Day in advance,” wrote the Minister, who posted a photo of a sweet get-well-soon gift from his family. /TISG

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