When you say the words “critical illness”, the mind often drifts to occurrences of cancer, stroke and heart attack.
The truth is, the term has evolved to cover more than just the 3 dreaded illnesses. Today, a host of heart and neurological illnesses have been identified as early to intermediate stage critical illnesses. These conditions have long-standing impact on our health, and some even lead to progressive degeneration.
When it comes to illnesses of this nature, knowing what they are and seeing the signs early can mean earlier intervention for better quality of life later on. To that extent, we’re looking at some of the less commonly known heart and neurological illnesses to learn more about them.
Key Takeaways
- Cancer, stroke and heart attack are just the tip of the iceberg when we talk about “critical illnesses” today.
- Critical Illnesses can be sudden, but drag on as degenerative illnesses.
- Simple infections can become life-threatening, and leave behind permanent complications.
- Degenerative neurological diseases can have symptoms that are hard to handle over the long-term.
- Heart problems can be silently inherited, before manifesting at unexpected moments.
- Tiq 3 Plus Critical Illness comes with an optional Heart and Neurological Disorder rider for peace of mind.
A simple ear infection can turn into a life-threatening brain infection
Leading an active, healthy lifestyle often means dealing with other people in close quarters, or facing outdoor elements. Imagine kayaking down a river and getting some water in your ears. You don’t know it, but some Streptococcus bacteria has decided to make your ear its home. In most cases, you get an ear infection that you can clear with a visit to the doctor. But in some cases, the bacteria jumps to the brain. That’s when it turns life-threatening.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. In the case of bacterial meningitis, the condition is caused by a host of different bacteria. For an infection to happen, bacteria needs to get there in the first place. There are a few ways this can happen:
- The bacteria ends up in your blood, and crosses the blood-brain barrier.
- If you have an ear or sinus infection, it can spread to your brain.
- Some people are born with weak spots in the protective layers of the brain, and that can let bacteria in.
Even if this neurological illness does not kill, bacterial meningitis can still create serious complications in 20% of those affected by it. These complications include hearing loss, seizures, speech difficulties, poor memory and even amputations caused by sepsis.
Dementia can be a symptom of something more severe
Dementia an intimidating degenerative disease. This disease is commonly considered in a silo, with people often unaware that it can constitute a small part of a larger degenerative neurological syndrome.
A prime example of this is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which shares symptoms with Parkinson’s Disease. This rare, disabling disease occurs when a naturally-occurring protein called Tau isn’t broken down, causing abnormal clumps of brain cells that damage the brain. Balance, mobility, muscle stiffness and speech problems are common, as is dementia.
The key difference between this, and the onset of Parkinson’s disease? PSP typically develops in a person’s mid-60s onwards, much later than Parkinson’s. PSP also worsens rapidly, causing sufferers severe disability within 3 to 5 years.
You could inherit a silent killer
You wouldn’t know it, but feeling tired all the time might not just be the fault of your day job. It could be a result of a genetic inheritance known as cardiomyopathy that you didn’t know about. In many cases, sufferers don’t see the danger coming as this disease shares some symptoms with common malaises related to stressful city living: Fatigue, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, and general tiredness.
Most forms of cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to have trouble pumping blood, are inherited. A few main types of this condition exist: Dilated, Hypertrophic, Arrhythmogenic, and restrictive.
Among those types, the hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic forms of this condition can be inherited. Often inherited, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the thickening of the heart muscle, and can cause sudden deaths, especially in young adult athletes.
The arrhythmogenic form of this disease occurs when the heart beat or rhythm is irregular. This condition is more prevalent in men, and can also be genetically inherited. This condition is also characterized by its often fatal outcomes, with dangerous irregular heart rhythms and Sudden Cardiac Death as possible occurrences.
Real-world insight: Why coverage details matter
A recent local case illustrates just how important policy definitions can be when a serious condition strikes. A Singaporean woman diagnosed with multiple brain aneurysms underwent endovascular repair, a minimally invasive procedure. When she filed a claim, one insurer denied it because the policy only covered open surgery procedures in its critical illness definition, while another insurer paid the claim under its early-stage definition.
This example highlights a key point: whether a condition or treatment is covered can depend on the exact wording and definitions in your policy. Two plans may look similar at a glance, yet treat the same condition differently at claim time.
Be prepared with expanded protection
Critical illnesses, whether sudden, progressive, or silent, can strike anyone and often bring unexpected financial strain. While basic critical illness plans focus on severe stages of major conditions, Tiq 3 Plus Critical Illness comes with an optional Heart and Neurological rider, which supports a range of heart- and neurologically-related critical illnesses, including dementia associated with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
The rider also covers brain aneurysm surgeries, whether performed via traditional craniotomy or minimally invasive endovascular procedures, providing broader protection for conditions that may otherwise be partially covered or excluded under standard plans.
Don’t let life have its way with you. Discover the right critical illness insurance for your peace of mind now. Learn more about Tiq 3 Plus Critical Illness today.
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Information is accurate as at 7 September 2023. This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K).
This article was updated on 7 April 2026.
Age means the age at next birthday.
This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the Life Insurance Association (LIA) or SDIC websites (www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
You should seek advice from a financial adviser before deciding to purchase the policy. If you choose not to seek advice, you should consider if the policy is suitable for you.
As this product has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely.
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
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