✍️ Written by: HOP Medical Centre Health Content Team ⚕️ Medically Reviewed by: HOP Senior Clinical Staff 📅 Published: March 2026 | 🔄 Last Reviewed: March 2026

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance. Content is aligned with Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines.

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A lipid profile test Singapore clinics offer is a routine blood draw — taking less than five minutes — that can reveal whether your heart is quietly at risk or ticking along just fine. If you have been putting off a cholesterol check, this guide explains what the test measures, what your numbers mean, and when to act.

Here is what most people miss: high cholesterol has no symptoms. You will not feel it building up in your arteries. That is precisely why the Singapore Heart Foundation calls it a silent risk factor — and why getting a lipid profile done is one of the most practical steps you can take for long-term heart health.

📊 Did You Know? According to MOH’s 2024 National Population Health Survey, 30.5% of Singaporean adults have high cholesterol — nearly 1 in 3. Most do not know until a health screening reveals the numbers.

What Is a Lipid Profile Test?

A lipid profile test Singapore doctors order — also called a cholesterol blood test or lipid panel — measures the fats circulating in your bloodstream. It is a standard component of HOP Medical Centre’s Executive Health Screening and Express Health Screening packages at our Orchard and Tampines clinics.

According to the MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Lipids, a lipid panel is a key investigation recommended for adults at cardiovascular risk. The test measures four values:

Measurement	What It Is	Healthy Range (Singapore)
Total Cholesterol	All cholesterol combined	< 5.2 mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol	“Bad” cholesterol — clogs arteries	< 2.6 mmol/L
HDL Cholesterol	“Good” cholesterol — clears arteries	> 1.0 mmol/L
Triglycerides	Blood fats from excess calories	< 1.7 mmol/L

Source: MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Lipids

LDL is the number your doctor watches most closely. When LDL is persistently elevated, fatty deposits called plaques accumulate along artery walls — a process called atherosclerosis — raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.

According to the Health Promotion Board Screening Guidelines, the following groups should get regular cholesterol testing:

• All adults aged 40 and above — at minimum once every 3 years if results are normal
• Adults aged 18+ with risk factors: family history of heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension
• Those with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease (male relatives before 50, female before 60)
• Individuals with obesity, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease
• Those who smoke or consume alcohol regularly

Do not wait for symptoms — there typically are none until a cardiac event occurs. Book your health screening at HOP Medical Centre at our Orchard or Tampines clinics.

Singapore’s National Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) Programme

In June 2025, the Ministry of Health launched a national FH genetic testing programme for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia — a hereditary condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol from birth, regardless of diet or lifestyle.

FH affects an estimated 20,000 people in Singapore, with individuals facing up to 20 times the normal heart attack risk at a young age. It is significantly underdiagnosed because it causes no obvious symptoms.

🧬 FH Genetic Testing — What You Need to Know

• Eligible Singapore Citizens and PRs can access subsidised FH testing through MOH’s Genomic Assessment Centres (GACs)
• Testing is available at the National Heart Centre Singapore (SingHealth GAC)
• Subsidies of up to 70% apply — MediSave500/700 can offset remaining costs
• Immediate family members of confirmed FH patients are eligible for cascade screening

A standard lipid profile test Singapore doctors perform will reveal elevated LDL consistent with FH — making routine screening the critical first step before genetic testing is even considered.

Understanding Your Lipid Profile Results

Total Cholesterol

A reading below 5.2 mmol/L is considered healthy for Singaporean adults. Readings above 6.2 mmol/L are classified as high and warrant prompt follow-up with your doctor.

LDL — The Number That Matters Most

For most healthy adults, the LDL target is below 2.6 mmol/L. For those with heart disease or diabetes, doctors typically aim for below 1.8 mmol/L. Statins are the most common first-line medication when LDL remains persistently elevated despite lifestyle changes.

HDL — Higher Is Better

HDL ferries excess cholesterol from arteries back to the liver. HDL below 1.0 mmol/L in men and below 1.3 mmol/L in women signals increased cardiovascular risk. The Singapore Heart Foundation has detailed guidance on raising HDL through lifestyle changes.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are fats derived from calories not immediately burned. Levels above 1.7 mmol/L are often linked to refined carbohydrates and alcohol — particularly relevant for Singaporeans eating frequently at hawker centres.

Do You Need to Fast Before a Lipid Profile Test?

This is one of the most common questions at our Orchard and Tampines clinics. The short answer: it depends on what your doctor needs.

Test Type	Fasting Required?
Total Cholesterol + HDL only	No — non-fasting test is acceptable
Full Lipid Panel (incl. LDL + Triglycerides)	Yes — 8–10 hours fasting recommended

HOP’s Express Health Screening and Executive Health Screening both include a full lipid panel. Our clinical staff will advise you on fasting requirements at booking.

How to Improve Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally

If your lipid profile test Singapore results fall outside the healthy range, lifestyle modification is the first line of response:

• Reduce saturated and trans fats — commonly found in red meat, full-fat dairy, and fried hawker foods
• Increase soluble fibre through oats, brown rice, and legumes — fibre binds cholesterol in the gut and lowers LDL
• Add omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, mackerel, and tofu to your regular diet
• Exercise regularly — aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week; walking, cycling, and swimming all raise HDL
• Quit smoking — smoking lowers HDL and accelerates artery damage
• Limit alcohol — no more than 1–2 standard drinks per day, per Singapore Heart Foundation guidance

If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may recommend medication. The HealthHub cholesterol guide provides a useful overview of treatment options available in Singapore.

Lipid Profile Testing at HOP Medical Centre

HOP Medical Centre has conducted over 800,000 health screenings across our Orchard and Tampines clinics over 20 years. A full lipid profile test Singapore patients can rely on is included in our:

• Executive Health Screening — comprehensive panel with physician consultation
• Express Health Screening — efficient and results within 1 week
• Corporate Health Screening — customised packages for companies of all sizes

For patients needing further cardiovascular investigation after an abnormal lipid result, our Radiology and Imaging services include ECG and cardiac assessments.

A lipid profile test is not something to delay. High cholesterol will not announce itself — but your results will. If it has been more than three years since your last cholesterol check, or if you carry any of the risk factors above, book your screening at HOP Medical Centre today.