Heart disease often develops silently over many years before symptoms appear. By the time chest pain or shortness of breath occurs, significant damage may already have taken place
A heart check-up helps identify cardiovascular risk factors early, allowing you and your doctor to take steps to prevent heart disease before it becomes more serious. Whether you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or simply want reassurance about your heart health, understanding your screening results can help you make informed decisions about your long-term wellbeing.
Many cardiovascular conditions develop gradually and may not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages.
Regular heart check-ups can help:
Detect high blood pressure before complications develop
Identify unhealthy cholesterol levels
Assess your overall cardiovascular risk
Detect certain heart rhythm abnormalities
Monitor existing heart conditions
Guide lifestyle changes or treatment where needed
Early detection often provides more opportunities to prevent heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A heart assessment may include several tests, depending on your age, medical history, symptoms, and individual risk factors.
Common components include:
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to build healthy cells and produce certain hormones. However, having too much cholesterol in the blood can cause fatty deposits to build up inside the arteries. Over time, these deposits narrow the arteries and increase the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
A cholesterol profile usually measures several components, with LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides being the most important for assessing cardiovascular risk.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol into the artery walls, where it contributes to plaque build-up (atherosclerosis). Higher LDL levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
For most adults, an LDL cholesterol level below 2.59 mmol/L is generally considered desirable. Individuals with diabetes, previous heart disease, or other high-risk conditions may require lower target levels as recommended by their doctor.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it back to the liver for disposal. Higher HDL levels are generally associated with better heart health.
As a guide:
Men: above 1.0 mmol/L
Women: above 1.2 mmol/L
Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the blood. Elevated triglyceride levels may increase the risk of heart disease, particularly when combined with high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity.
Managing triglycerides usually involves healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, limiting alcohol intake, and controlling blood sugar where appropriate.
Healthy cholesterol levels can often be improved through lifestyle changes, including:
Following a heart-healthy diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats
Limiting foods high in saturated and trans fats
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Avoiding smoking
Taking cholesterol-lowering medication if prescribed by your doctor
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It is one of the most important indicators of heart and blood vessel health because persistently high blood pressure often causes no symptoms while gradually damaging the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels.
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers:
Systolic pressure (top number): The pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood.
Diastolic pressure (bottom number): The pressure in your arteries when the heart relaxes between heartbeats.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, places extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. Over time, uncontrolled hypertension can increase the risk of:
Heart attack
Stroke
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Vision problems
Because high blood pressure often develops without noticeable symptoms, regular screening is one of the best ways to detect it early.
Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent or control high blood pressure. These include:
Reducing salt intake
Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Maintaining a healthy weight
Staying physically active
Limiting alcohol consumption
Managing stress
Taking blood pressure medication as prescribed, if required
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It helps detect irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), signs of previous heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions that may require further evaluation or treatment.
An ECG is commonly performed as part of a heart check-up, especially if you have symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound scan that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the heart’s structure and function. It allows your cardiologist to assess how well your heart pumps blood, evaluate the heart valves, and identify structural abnormalities.
The procedure is painless, does not involve radiation, and is usually completed within an hour.
In some situations, a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) may be recommended. This specialised test involves passing a small ultrasound probe into the oesophagus to obtain clearer images of the heart, particularly the valves and surrounding structures.
Receiving an abnormal test result does not necessarily mean you have heart disease. Many findings require further assessment before a diagnosis can be made.
Your cardiologist will interpret your results alongside your symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and any additional investigations. If needed, further tests or follow-up appointments may be recommended to better understand your heart health and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Regular heart screening may be beneficial if you:
Are aged 40 years or above
Have diabetes
Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
Have high cholesterol
Smoke or have smoked previously
Are overweight or obese
Have a family history of heart disease
Experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations
Have other cardiovascular risk factors or existing heart conditions
Even if you feel well, routine heart check-ups can help detect cardiovascular disease before symptoms develop.
The frequency of heart check-ups depends on your age, overall health, and cardiovascular risk factors.
People with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or a strong family history of heart disease may benefit from more frequent monitoring than those at lower risk.
If your results are normal, your doctor will recommend an appropriate follow-up schedule based on your individual health profile. Regular check-ups help monitor changes over time and support early detection of heart disease.
Early detection is one of the most effective ways to protect your heart.
At Prince Court Medical Centre, our experienced cardiologists provide comprehensive heart assessments, advanced diagnostic testing, and personalised advice to help you understand your cardiovascular health and reduce your long-term risk of heart disease.
Schedule an appointment with our cardiologists today to discuss your heart health and receive a personalised assessment based on your individual risk factors.
Reviewed by Dr. Beh Ting Yuen
Be the first in line to receive the latest updates and promotions, delivered directly to your inbox.
Please enter a valid email
Thank you for subscribing!
Please verify that you are not a robot.
