Screening for Chronic Medical conditions | KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Introduction

Young Adults

Middle Years

Later Years

Some of the top chronic medical conditions in Singapore include Diabetes Mellitus, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia).

Some chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol, may have no symptoms in the early stages. However, you could have the condition, even if you feel completely well with no symptoms.

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If left untreated, these conditions could lead to complications. Hypertension could result in stroke, kidney and heart diseases. High blood cholesterol can increase the risk of a stroke and heart diseases. Diabetes, when poorly controlled, can lead to stroke, heart and kidney diseases and nerve damage.

How to reduce your risk of developing these medical conditions?

Keep a healthy diet with low salt, fat and sugar intake. Increase fibre intake.
Click here to learn how to reduce your risk of chronic diseases through diet.
Do regular exercises.
Keep an ideal body mass index. Being obese can contribute to multiple medical conditions including diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.
No smoking.
Avoid excessive alcohol intake.

How to detect these chronic medical conditions early?

Blood pressure and obesity (Body Mass Index- BMI) screening using height and weight measurements should begin as early as age 18 and should be checked regularly. From age 40 years, include additional blood tests to screen for diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

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Young Adults (18-24 years old)

Start blood pressure and obesity screen at 18 years old

The Middle Years (25-49 years old)

Continue screen for blood pressure and obesity.
Blood tests to screen for diabetes and high cholesterol levels from 40 years old.
If you have risk factors for chronic medical conditions, speak to your doctor about when you should start screening.

The Later Years (≥50 years old)

If you have not started screening for these chronic medical conditions earlier, you can still go for these tests if you were not previously diagnosed with these medical conditions. Once diagnosed with these medical conditions, please follow up with your doctor on your treatment.

Screening tests can be performed at GP clinics or polyclinics. Please call for an appointment before the visit, as some tests may require prior preparation. For eligible Singapore Citizens, subsidised rates are available at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioner (GP) clinics.

For more information on these screening tests, visit https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/61/Screen_for_Life

To read up more on the chronic medical conditions, visit https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/61/Screen_for_Life/sfl-resources#home