Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Singapore. Most heart diseases are preventable, especially if the risk factors are detected early and treated. It is therefore common to perform heart health screening.

Such screening are centred around the detection and control of risk factors which commonly lead to heart disease:

1. Diabetes mellitus – It is recommended that the general population aged 40 years or more to be tested via blood test for fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c.
2. Hypertension – It is recommended that the general population aged 18 years or more to be opportunistically screened with blood pressure measurement during clinic consultations.
3. Hyperlipidaemia – It is recommended that the general population aged 40 years or more to be tested via blood test for fasting or non-fasting lipid profile.
4. Obesity – It is recommended that the general population aged 18 years or more to be screened annually for Body-Mass Index (BMI) & waist circumference

Tests which specifically evaluate the heart’s health are:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG) – this measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect prior heart damage, and irregular rhythm
2. Chest X-ray – the heart’s shadow as seen on X-ray may give clues to the heart’s health 
3. Echocardiogram – this is an Ultrasound of the heart, which measures the heart’s structure and function
4. Stress-testing – usually performed on a treadmill, to measure the heart’s performance during exercise, detecting possible blockages and irregular heart rhythm
5. CT coronary angiogram – this special X-ray utilises injected contrast to study the heart’s blood vessels for blockages

References

1. https://www.moh.gov.sg/others/resources-and-statistics/principal-causes-of-death/
2. MOH Report of the Screening Test Review Committee 2026