High cholesterol is common, silent, and deadly. In Singapore, nearly one in three adults has high blood cholesterol, and most don’t know it. But here’s the good news: detecting it is easy, and it costs less than your daily coffee. For just $5, you can get a screening that could help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Why Cholesterol Deserves Your Attention
Image source: verywellhealth.com
High cholesterol has no symptoms, yet it builds up quietly in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. It works like rust in a pipe, slowly narrowing the flow until it becomes blocked. In Singapore, cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death, responsible for about 30% of all fatalities.
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What Does a Cholesterol Test Involve?
A cholesterol test is a blood test that checks your lipid profile:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL (“bad” cholesterol): LDL clogs arteries, forming plaque and restricting blood flow.
- HDL (“good” cholesterol): HDL helps remove LDL from the bloodstream.
- Triglycerides
A small sample of blood is taken from your arm. It’s quick and feels like a minor pinprick.
Fasting Requirement: Important Clarification
While cholesterol tests can often be done without fasting, the Screen for Life (SFL) programme typically includes a fasting blood glucose test for diabetes, which requires fasting for 8–12 hours. So, if you’re going for the subsidised $5 SFL bundle, you almost certainly need to fast. The clinic will advise you in advance.
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Who Should Get Tested?
- All adults aged 40 and above should be screened every three years.
- Younger individuals with risk factors like family history, diabetes, smoking, obesity, or high blood pressure should consult their doctor about earlier or more frequent testing.
Where to Get Tested for $5 or Less
Singapore’s national Screen for Life programme subsidises health screenings at GP clinics and polyclinics. Here is the 2025 cost breakdown:
| Eligibility Group | Cost Per Visit |
| Pioneer Generation | $0 |
| Merdeka Generation | $2 |
| CHAS Blue/Orange | $2 |
| Eligble Citizens | $5 |
| Healthier SG Members | $0 (at enrolled clinic) |
These costs include checks for cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, and diabetes, as well as a follow-up consultation to review your results.
Where to Go
- CHAS GP clinics (look for the CHAS logo)
- Polyclinics
- Your Healthier SG registered clinic
Book through HealthHub, call the clinic directly, or use the Singpass app. Bring your NRIC and any CHAS, Merdeka, or Pioneer cards.
How to Prepare
- Check eligibility using the HealthHub tool.
- Book an appointment at a participating clinic.
- Fast overnight if required (most SFL bundles require it).
- Bring your NRIC and any relevant cards.
After the Test
A doctor will review your results during a follow-up. If cholesterol levels are high, your doctor may suggest:
- Dietary changes (e.g. reducing saturated fat)
- Exercise (150 minutes a week of moderate activity)
- Quitting smoking
- Medications (such as statins, if needed)
Quick Recap
- Cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease.
- One in three adults in Singapore is affected.
- The SFL programme offers comprehensive testing for $5 or less.
- Testing is quick and safe and often requires fasting.
- Adults 40+ should screen every 3 years.
Take action today. Your heart will thank you tomorrow.
References:
- Novartis Singapore & Singapore Heart Foundation – “Beat the Block” Campaign (2025).
- Ministry of Health Singapore – National Population Health Survey (2023–2024).
- HealthHub. Healthier SG Screening – National Health Screening Programme (2025).
- Singapore Heart Foundation – Blood Cholesterol Test (2022).
- Parkway Shenton. Screen for Life – CHAS Annual Health Screening (2025).