What are Singaporeans of all ages worried about today?

1. Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is more commonly seen in middle-aged or older adults. However, the recent rise of obesity among children and young adults is also a leading cause of Type 2 diabetes. Usually, a young person with Type 2 diabetes may have no or mild symptoms such as thirst and passing more urine. If undetected during the early stages of development, Type 2 diabetes can lead to long-term diabetes-related complications such as heart and kidney disease. So, while adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent the disease, a comprehensive diagnosis every year by a health professional is advisable.

2. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Hypertension is often called the ‘silent killer’ because you may not be aware that anything is wrong with your body, but the damage is constantly occurring. For instance, a blood pressure of 110/70 is within the normal range, but a blood pressure of 135/85 is stage 1 (mild) hypertension. Smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity and heredity are some of the common causes of Hypertension. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have a health professional measure it regularly. Know your numbers so you can make the changes that help prevent or limit the damage.

3. High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)

About 8% of Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 have high total cholesterol levels (Source: https://www.homage.sg/health/hyperlipidemia/#), while 34% have borderline-high levels. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Gradually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries leading to a stroke. Therefore, it is recommended that cholesterol screenings should be done every one to two years for men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65. People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually – especially if they have a family history of high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease or other risk factors.

With early detection and appropriate intervention, we can prevent or delay the onset of certain diseases and the complications related to them. Adhere to a schedule of regular Health Screenings and prevent any life-threatening complications.