Ask a Cardiologist: Dr Lee Li Ching from HSC Medical Centre Malaysia

Ask a Doctor Forum › Category: Cardiology › Ask a Cardiologist: Dr Lee Li Ching from HSC Medical Centre Malaysia

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dr. Lee Li Ching asked 2 years ago

I am Dr. Lee Li Ching, Cardiologist at HSC Medical Centre, a leading one-stop medical, heart & diagnostic centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. My board certifications include:

MBBS, University of New South Wales, Australia
MRCP, Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
National Specialist Register (Cardiology), Malaysia

My fellowships include:

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, FRCP, UK
Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, FACC, USA

I am a cardiologist in HSC Medical Centre. The Centre has performed more than 11,000 CT coronary angiograms within the last few years, which makes it one of the largest series in the world. Besides that, HSC Medical Centre offers advanced medical and cardiac therapeutic services like non-invasive coronary angiogram, conventional angiogram, balloon angioplasty, stent implantation on out-patient basis. We are one of the few centers in the world to have designed and offer a very comprehensive Health Screening Package for heart disease, stroke, and cancer, to detect most of today's life threatening diseases. Learn more about HSC Medical Centre here: https://patients.smarterhealth.my/hospital/hsc-medical-centre/ Learn more about me here: https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/lee-li-ching-2/ I am excited to be here to share/discuss Cardiovascular Health with everyone. Whether you've got questions about cardiovascular conditions, cardiovascular treatments or how to maintain good heart health, ask me anything! === Want to ask a question? Submit your question at the bottom of this page. Don’t forget to include your name and email address to get notified when the doctor answers your question.

22 Answers

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Yudhistira Kurniawan answered 2 years ago

Doc, I am 25 years old. These two years, I have been feeling my chest pounding fast after strenuous activities. I had an EKG done once and the doctor said I had arrhythmia. Is this dangerous? And should I have a surgery to treat my arrhythmia?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Dear Yudhistira, Hope you are well. There are different types of arrhythmias. Some are dangerous, some are not. Perhaps you can share with us your ECG. Depends on the type of arrhythmias, you might need further testing such as 24hour ECG monitoring, blood test and heart scan before deciding on the next course of action. Take care. Regards, Liching.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Imam wahyudi answered 2 years ago

Doctor, my father is 65 years old. His cardiologist suggested for him to have 2 new stents in his heart. But two years ago, he has already had one stent in his heart. Is it better for my father to have a transplant? What are the chances of success?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Thank you for your questions. Sorry to hear that your father have to undergo another procedure. Heart transplant is a major and risky surgery. There are a lot of issues surrounding it. Firstly donor heart is not easy to come by. After a successful surgery, patient needs to be on long term immunosuppressive medications which has unpleasant side effects. Therefore, it is only reserved for certain patients. Angioplasty is a relatively simpler procedure with much lower risk. If the blockage can be treated by angioplasy, I think it is a much better option. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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yusnida answered 2 years ago

Doctor, my mother’s feet and stomach have been swollen for around 3 months. She also has breathing problems when she sleeps. Her doctor said she has congestive heart failure. Is that dangerous and treatable?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Sorry to hear about your mum's condition. There are different causes of congestive heart failure such as blockage of arteries, valvular issues, thyroid problems, hypertension and many more. It is important to find out the cause of the problem before we know the definitive treatment. But in the meantime, we can treat the symptoms such as breathing difficulty with some medication to get rid of extra water from the body. Also, it is also important to rule out concurrent problem such as kidney failure and liver failure that also causes fluid overload.

Take care. Liching

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Junius answered 2 years ago

Doctor, what are the signs of heart disease?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Thank you for the question. The typical signs and symptoms of heart disease is sudden onset of left sided chest tightness (not pricking / poking ) that radiates to the left arm or neck. It is associated with sweating, breathlessness and nausea. Sometimes, heart attack could present in atypical manner such as fainting spell, abdominal pain or unusual tiredness. Hope this answer your questions. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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ario answered 2 years ago

Doctor, my chest hurts after running. I have seen a doctor several times and he said my heart is fine. What should I do to find out if I have a heart problem or not? Thanks Doctor.

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon for one to experience musculoskeletal chest pain or breathlessness after strenuous exercise. But i agree with you that it is important to make sure that it is not related to the heart. There are few investigations that could be performed to find out the cause, depending on your age and cardiovascular risk factors. The initial and simplest test is ECG test. The doctor can then decide to proceed with treadmill stress test, stress echocardiogram or CT coronary angiogram to determine whether it is the blockage of artery that causes the heart pain. The doctor might also order a chest XR if he suspect that there could be lung pathology. Hope this answer your concern. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Irfan answered 2 years ago

Doctor, do heart disease medicines have bad side effects for the other parts of the body? My mother was diagnosed with heart disease and she has to consume medicines. But lately she has been complaining about having less urine and that her urine is brown. Is this normal? Is this a side effect of the ongoing medicine consumption? Thank you, Doc.

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Hi there, Hope your mother is feeling better. All the medicines has side effects, different class of medications has different side effects. Some are mild but some could be so serious that the medications need to be changed or stopped. I am not sure what heart disease does your mother suffers from and what medication is she on. Sounds like the medication she has problem with is a type of diuretic. Diuretic is a class of medications that gets rid of extra water from the body by urination. The fact that the urine turns brown and passing less urine is suggestive that she is dehydrated. May I suggest that she goes back to her regular doctor for a review. She might need some blood test and has the medicine dosage adjusted. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Teguh answered 2 years ago

Doctor, this week I have been feeling exhausted and had cold sweats everytime I come home from work. I thought this was just common fatigue, but these two days my breath has been short. Should I see a cardiologist?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Yes, I think you should see a cardiologist or a general physician. There many reasons why a person had experience fatigue, sweating and shortness of breath. You r doctor will take a thorough history from you and decide what investigations to carry out. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Ronny Thomas answered 2 years ago

Doctor, I have a headache that doesn’t go away after I take medicines. Is this a side effect of the hypertension medication that I took?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

I am not sure what type of headache you experience and whether it is related to your blood pressure medication. A class of blood pressure medication which includes commonly prescribed amlodipine, nifedipine is known to cause headache. The headache should become less noticeable after you have taken the medication for a while. Please consult a doctor if your headache persists. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Bakti answered 2 years ago

Doctor, I am 26. Why do I often feel pain in my chest? It goes through my back and neck and it makes my breath short. I have been feeling this for the past 4 years.

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Chest pain for last 4 years in a 26 year old is very unlikely related to the heart. But if it is associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath or palpitations, i think you should see a doctor to find out the cause of the chest pain. The doctor might want to do a chest X ray, ECG and blood test. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Irham Fadli answered 2 years ago

My father experienced a sudden heart attack a year ago after exercising. He didn’t have any heart problems before and he has always consumed healthy foods and exercised regularly. But still, he had a sudden heart attack. Is a heart attack like this also an invisible disease? I heard that heart disease can be passed from parents to their children. Am I at risk of having heart disease, Doctor, knowing what my father experienced? Thank you

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

I am sorry to hear about your father's condition. it is important to consume healthy food and exercise regularly, but does not guarantee one from having heart disease because sometimes a person might have underlying undiagnosed conditions such as high cholesterol , diabetes, hypertension or heritable condition. You might not experience any symptoms from the above condition. I think knowing dad's condition, it is very logical of you to go preliminary screening. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Nurmaidah answered 2 years ago

My father is 84 years old and he has diabetes and heart disease. His feet are swollen and he has chest pain and tightness in breathing. Now he is under treatment with his cardiologist. I want to ask, if one day his diabetes level goes up, does it mean his heart condition will recur?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Sorry to hear about your father. Sounds like he has heart failure or renal impairment too. It is true that if the diabetes is not well controlled, the chances of worsening the blockage is higher. If he still have chest pain and shortness of breath, please bring him to see a doctor. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Bintang answered 2 years ago

Doctor, I want to ask. Everytime after I finish my exercise, my heart beats fast and I have cold sweat. Is this arrhythmia? It happens only after exercising.

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, it is normal for heart rate to go up during exercise and fall back to normal when one stop exercise. It is not normal for heart rate to go up after you stop exercise. You might want to discuss with your doctor regarding a ECG monitoring ( holter test) and exercise stress test to find out what’s happening. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Waidah Arsani answered 2 years ago

Doctor, the result of my x-ray showed that my heart is swollen. I was not strong enough to do the treadmill stress test. How do I treat it?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, sorry to hear that, it is more important that you have an echocardiogram to find out the reason of enlarged heart. There are many causes of swollen heart , be it due to enlargement of the heart chambers or thickening of the heart muscles. The subsequent investigations and treatment depends on the findings. take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Amida Paula answered 2 years ago

My hands and feet get sweaty easily. I read online that this is a sign of a weak heart. Is that true, Doc? I am only 32 years old.

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, it is unlikely due to heart problem. Conditions that may lead to excessive sweating includes obesity, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, certain types of tumour and nervous system disorder. You might want to consult your local doctor about this. take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Maura answered 2 years ago

Hello, Doctor. I feel a stabbing pain in my chest, and the pain radiates to my back, neck, and even my jaw. I get tired easily too. I have undergone UCG and rontgen - everything is normal. I was only given medicine for my blood pressure which was high once. Is it true that this is only due to high blood tension? Or are there any other check ups I should undergo?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, high blood pressure usually does not present that way. If you are worried, perhaps can discuss with your doctor to organise an exercise stress test? There are many reasons for tiredness, again, you might want to consider some blood test to check for anaemia, thyroid problem, diabetes , liver/ kidney issues etc. Take care

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Nendi Rohaendi answered 2 years ago

I often feel pain in my chest and the pain keeps shifting across my chest. What condition is this, Doc?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, I will need more information from you regarding the chest pain before i can help you. But, from what you described, it doesnot sound like heart pain. Typical angina pain is tight / pressing in nature, radiates to neck/ left arm and associated with sweating and breathlessness. Do let me know if i can help further. take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Rosiana answered 2 years ago

My husband passed away after fighting with congestive heart failure. He was only 51 years old. I want to ask, what is the cause of this disease, Doc? How to prevent it?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Dear Rosiana, I am so sorry to hear that. There are many causes of congestive heart failure. It could due to underlying coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, viral infection, certain chemotherapy, radiotherapy ,thyroid problem, inherited, connective tissue disease etc. There are also cases where the reasons are not known. Treatment depends on the cause of the heart failure. Take care. Do contact us if you need more information.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Ihsan Mustafa Rasyid answered 2 years ago

Doc, is it true that coronary artery disease can be inherited from parents by their children? My father, 54 years old, was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. I am his son, 30 years old now. At what age should I start a regular heart check up? And what examination should I undergo? Thank you, Doc

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, it is true that sometimes coronary artery disease or diseases such as hyperlipidaemia/ hypertension runs in the family. So, it is important that you have regular check up from now on. Depends on your medical history and risk profiles, you might consider blood tests such as cholesterol level, glucose level and have your blood pressure checked. If you have symptoms, your doctor might also order ECG and exercise stress test. Hope this helps. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Meilan answered 2 years ago

How big is the chance for someone with hypertension to have heart disease, Doc?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, hypertension not only increases the risk of coronary artery diseases and thickening of the heart muscle which eventually leads to heart failure. The risk depends on how good is the control of the blood pressure. The better the control, the lower the risk. hope it answer your question. take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Ressy Ayu answered 2 years ago

Good afternoon, Doc. I often have a high level of cholesterol. What should I do to prevent it from turning into a heart problem?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, You should discuss with your doctor, if it is really high, you will need some medication. In addition, you have to watch your diet and exercise regularly. It is also important that you have regular health screening. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Riton answered 2 years ago

My chest hurts and my stomach feels full. Is it a sign of heart condition?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

hi, i will need more history to advise you accordingly. From your limited history, it could be GERD symptoms. Do see your local doctor for examination and treatment. Angina is usually tight in nature, starting from the left chest , radiating to the neck and left arm. It is associated with breathless, profuse sweating and nausea. Take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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Tan Hui Chuen answered 2 years ago

My dad is 73 and was attacked by TIA in 2015. His heart EF was once below 10% and now averaged from 16-20%. Both his feet are seen swellon on off since Dec 2020, and now Feb 2021. He has been taking Rasitol 0.5 tablet and Entresto 0.5 tablet daily and his fluid intake is within 1.2-1.5liter per day. He has recently done an ECG with doesnt show any heart attack. Due to the pandamic, we really struggle if should send him to hospital which could be more risky considering his heart condition. What is your advise to address the current issue?

dr. Lee Li Ching replied 2 years ago

Dear Tan Hui Chuen, sorry to hear about your father. Sounds like he has poor heart function for which we dont know the cause and the TIA could be due to that ( what we call a cardioembolic stroke).
Importantly, if he is symptomatic ie breathless, unable to lie flat , legs are very swollen, he needs to go back to the hospital ASAP. if not, please follow up with his doctor closely to adjust the med. It is also important to find out the underlying cause of the poor heart function. I know it is scary to go the hospital during this pandemic but i think he shouldnot miss any appointment. take care.

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*Keen to tele-consult with Dr Lee Li Ching? Leave your details at https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/li-ching-lee-2/ and we’ll help arrange an appointment.

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