Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmia, is one of the leading causes of death in Singapore. According to the Singapore Heart Foundation, CVD accounted for 30.5% of all deaths in 2024, meaning nearly one in three deaths in Singapore was due to heart disease or stroke.
However, CVD is often known as a silent killer, and conditions such as heart attack or stroke tend to strike when one least expects it. Fortunately, there are effective steps you can take to keep it at bay, such as adopting heart-healthy lifestyle changes and undergoing regular cardiac screening.
Cardiac screening refers to a series of medical tests and evaluations that help assess the overall health of your heart, your risk of developing heart disease, and detect early signs of heart problems.
It starts with an interview to understand the patient’s personal and family history and their risk profile. A detailed physical examination will then be carried out with the following tests:
“CVD often develops silently for years,” Cardiologist Dr. Pinakin V Parekh shared. “and the first presentation may be a heart attack, stroke, heart failure or sudden cardiac death.”
Cardiac screening helps identify risks of cardiovascular diseases early, even when no symptoms are present. The earlier you catch and manage your risk factors, the better you will be able to control them and prevent the development or progression of CVD.
Abnormalities such as restricted or blocked arteries will be able to be identified, allowing early preventive measures, such as lifestyle modifications or medications, to better minimise your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
“Once you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, the risks stay lifelong,” Dr. Pinakin warns. “But if we detect these risks early, we can reverse and stabilise the disease’s progression with lifestyle modifications, medications such as statins, blood pressure medications, and targeted follow-up consultations to provide guidance on how to keep your risk low.”
Dr. Pinakin also highlighted “hidden high-risk” individuals who look healthy and are at a normal weight, but may have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or a strong family history of CVD.
“Cardiac screening catches these [risks] and allows for onward testing to rule our diseases caused by the silent chronic conditions mentioned above,” Dr. Pinakin explains.
For individuals who are already diagnosed with heart disease, regular cardiac screenings also help monitor the disease progression and the effectiveness of treatment, allowing healthcare providers to adjust the care plans if necessary. This helps to provide reassurance for individuals with cardiovascular health concerns as they are actively monitoring and taking charge of their cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular risk factors are divided into non-modifiable risk factors and modifiable risk factors. Non-modifiable risk factors are factors that the individual is unable to change and can influence their likelihood of developing heart disease. These include factors such as one’s age, family history, gender, and genetic factors.
Modifiable cardiovascular risks are factors that can be changed or managed by the individual to reduce their risk of heart disease. These factors include:
According to Dr. Pinakin, cardiac screening is not a one-size-fits-all solution but there are certain demographics that are recommended to go for one.
Cardiac screening is recommended for adults above the age of 40. Heart disease profiles are increasingly being seen in younger patients, hence Dr. Pinakin recommends earlier cardiac screening if you have the following risk factors:
Doctors recommend that regardless of whether you have risk factors that may increase your risk of CVD or are physically active, to still go for a full cardiac screening every few years, as well as a blood test to screen for risk factors annually. Just because you look physically fit does not guarantee that you are at zero risk for CVD.
Preparing for an upcoming cardiac screening is relatively straightforward and does not require much preparation. However, you may be asked to follow specific preparation guidelines depending on the tests you will be undergoing. In general, what you can do to prepare for a cardiac screening include:
Heart disease often develops quietly, but its consequences can be life-changing. Regular cardiac screening plays a crucial role in detecting early warning signs, identifying risk factors, and guiding timely intervention before serious complications arise. Combined with heart-healthy lifestyle choices, screening empowers individuals to take proactive control of their cardiovascular health. Whether you have existing risk factors or simply want peace of mind, investing in regular cardiac screening is a vital step towards protecting your heart and ensuring long-term wellbeing.
Speak to your doctor about the most appropriate cardiac screening plan for your age, lifestyle, and health profile.
