10 Things About Your Ageing Heart And Why It Can Be More Worrying For Women

Pregnancy and menopause are two vulnerable phases for women, say doctors.

- Sumiko Tan

The Sunday Times used to run a column called Foodie Confidential in which people were asked what they'd like their last meal to be.

Mum's comfort food from childhood popped up a lot, as did plain Teochew porridge and just about anything from McDonald's.

I know what my last meal would be: Youtiao.

Sticks of these dough fritters straight from a vat of bubbling oil, light and crispy on the outside and almost hollow inside.

I love crunchy, deep-fried food.

Youtiao tops the list, just ahead of keropok, goreng pisang, vadai, mantou, samosas, curry puffs, spring rolls and French fries.

They are all bad for my health, of course especially my heartwhich is why I was comforted to learn that at least one cardiologist shares my cravings.

"I enjoy youtiao too," admits Adjunct Associate Professor Low Ting Ting from the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS).

"Just had mine last weekend at a cafe but made a conscientious effort to pair it with soya bean curd - with less syrup - instead of pairing it with dipping curry," says Prof Low, who is director of the women's heart health programme at NUHCS.

Deep-fried food is high in unhealthy fats saturated fat and trans fat and packed with calories. Over time, consuming too much of it can lead to weight gain and the build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries, she says.

"It's clearly a double whammy for the development of obesity, heart attacks and stroke," she warns.