Maintaining a normal blood pressure reading has long been regarded as one of the key indicators of good cardiovascular health.

However, new research suggests that these readings may not always provide a complete picture of an individual's risk of developing serious heart-related complications.

The findings come from the REMODEL Study conducted by researchers at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) and published in the medical journal MedCom in February 2026.

According to the study, nearly 30 per cent of complications associated with hypertension occurred in patients whose blood pressure measurements appeared to fall within the normal range during routine medical examinations.

The research indicates that relying solely on blood pressure readings may cause hidden cardiovascular risks to go undetected, particularly among individuals with other underlying health concerns.

Speaking on the findings, Associate Professor Calvin Chin, Senior Consultant in Cardiology at the National Heart Centre Singapore and Deputy Director of the National Heart Research Institute Singapore, explained that additional factors must be considered when evaluating a person's overall heart health.

He noted that one of the most important indicators is the amount of visceral fat, the fat stored deep inside the abdomen around vital organs.

Unlike fat located beneath the skin, visceral fat is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and other metabolic conditions.

According to Professor Chin, reducing body fat, particularly visceral fat, is often more beneficial than focusing solely on losing body weight.

He explained that a person may lose weight without significantly improving their metabolic health if harmful abdominal fat remains largely unchanged.

The study also encourages individuals to monitor their waist-to-hip ratio, describing it as a simple but valuable measurement that can help identify hidden health risks that may not be reflected by body weight or blood pressure alone.

In addition to body composition, the researchers highlighted the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining cardiovascular health.

However, they cautioned that exercise should be approached sensibly. While high-intensity workouts can provide significant health benefits for many people, consistently exercising at maximum intensity without adequate recovery may not always be appropriate and should be tailored to an individual's fitness level and medical condition.

Professor Chin also stressed the importance of developing strong core muscles, noting that core strength contributes not only to physical performance but also to overall health and injury prevention.

The study concludes that comprehensive cardiovascular assessments should go beyond routine blood pressure measurements by incorporating evaluations of body fat distribution, lifestyle habits and other risk factors to provide a more accurate picture of long-term heart health.