A/Prof Jackie Ho Pei is a Senior Consultant in Vascular Surgery at the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, and Senior Consultant in the Division of Vascular Surgery at Alexandra Hospital. She is also an Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Her clinical interests include aortic diseases, haemodialysis access and peripheral arterial disease, and she practises both open carotid endarterectomy and endovascular stenting for carotid stenosis to reduce stroke risk.
Clinical focus
Carotid & stroke prevention.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, FRCS (Edin), FCS (HK), FHKAM (Gen. Surg).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) — National University Hospital, Kent Ridge
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): National University Hospital; Alexandra Hospital
Getting to the clinic
A/Prof Jackie Ho Pei practises at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), within National University Hospital at Kent Ridge, and also sees patients at Alexandra Hospital. For the Kent Ridge campus, the nearest MRT is Kent Ridge station on the Circle Line (CC24), which connects to the hospital, making public transport a practical option for many patients, including those with reduced mobility who can use the sheltered, accessible routes.
Bus services run along the roads serving the Kent Ridge medical and university campus, and the hospital has clearly marked drop-off points for taxis and ride-hailing at the main entrances. As a public hospital, NUH provides visitor carparks for those driving. The campus is large, so allow time to find the correct clinic within the heart centre, follow the signage on arrival, and consider dropping a less mobile patient near the entrance before parking. If your appointment is at Alexandra Hospital instead, confirm the address and access details when booking.
What carotid and stroke-prevention surgery covers
A/Prof Ho is a vascular surgeon whose clinical interests include aortic diseases, haemodialysis access and peripheral arterial disease, and who practises both open carotid endarterectomy and endovascular stenting for carotid stenosis to reduce stroke risk.
- Carotid artery disease, where narrowing of the neck arteries can increase the risk of stroke.
- Carotid endarterectomy (open surgery to remove the narrowing) and carotid stenting, used to reduce stroke risk in suitable patients.
- Aortic diseases affecting the body’s main artery.
- Peripheral arterial disease affecting blood flow to the limbs.
- Haemodialysis access surgery for patients with kidney failure.
The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, and significant narrowing can raise the risk of stroke. Treatment decisions weigh the degree of narrowing, whether there have been symptoms, and the individual’s overall risk. Both surgical and endovascular options exist, and care is aimed at reducing future stroke risk while managing the underlying vascular disease.
What to expect at a consultation
A consultation begins with a detailed history covering any symptoms such as transient weakness, speech disturbance or visual changes, along with risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. The surgeon will ask about your general health and medications.
Examination includes assessing the circulation and, for carotid disease, listening over the neck arteries. Ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries is commonly used to assess narrowing, and further imaging such as CT or MRI angiography may be arranged to plan treatment. You will then discuss the findings and options, which may include medication and risk-factor control, and in suitable patients carotid surgery or stenting, with an explanation of the aims and considerations of each.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification, and any GP or polyclinic referral letter, which can also assist with subsidy eligibility at a public hospital.
- Previous records, scans and reports, including any prior carotid or brain imaging.
- A current medication and supplement list, including blood thinners and blood-pressure or cholesterol medicines.
- Recent blood results if available.
- A written list of symptoms and questions, noting any episodes of weakness or speech or visual disturbance and when they occurred.
After your consultation and follow-up
You should leave understanding your diagnosis, your stroke-risk factors and the plan. Reports from scans are usually available within a few days. Carotid and vascular conditions often need review to monitor the arteries, check risk-factor control and decide on the timing of any procedure, so follow-up is important. Referrals to other services, such as for blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes management, may form part of overall stroke prevention, and continuity of care supports long-term risk reduction.
You may seek a second opinion at any time. Seek emergency attention for stroke warning signs — sudden face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty — by calling for emergency help immediately, as these require urgent treatment rather than an outpatient appointment.
Booking, referrals and fees
At a public hospital such as NUH, a referral from a GP or polyclinic is often helpful and may be needed to access subsidised rates. For eligible procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while consultation charges depend on your subsidy status. Because coverage and fees vary by referral route, subsidy eligibility and procedure, confirm the details with the hospital or clinic in advance.
Common questions
How does carotid surgery reduce stroke risk?
Narrowing of the carotid arteries can lead to stroke. Removing or treating the narrowing in suitable patients aims to lower that risk, alongside controlling other risk factors.
What is the difference between carotid endarterectomy and stenting?
Endarterectomy is open surgery to remove the narrowing, while stenting treats it from inside the artery. The choice depends on the individual case.
Can carotid narrowing be managed without surgery?
In some cases, yes, with medication and risk-factor control. The surgeon assesses whether a procedure is warranted based on the narrowing and symptoms.
What are the warning signs of a stroke?
Sudden face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty are key warning signs that require emergency help straight away.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of vascular surgeons in Singapore and our shortlist of vascular clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
Don’t agree with this listing? If this is your profile and you’d like the details corrected, updated or removed — or you’d like to be featured — please reach out to us or use our contact form. We’ll sort it out quickly.