Chronic Diseases
Health Screening in Kepong: Do You Really Need One?
Most people who ask us about health screening in Kepong have already been thinking about it for months.…
Screening Guide
General Health Screening
General health screening covers a few simple, well-proven checks, like blood pressure and blood sugar, that can pick up common silent conditions early.
Overview
Many common conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, cause no symptoms for years. A general health screening is a simple way to check for them while you still feel well.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes screening as finding people in an apparently healthy population who may be at higher risk of a health problem. The point is to act early, not to hunt for every possible disease.
A basic screening is a good starting point. It focuses on a small number of checks with clear benefits, and your doctor tailors the tests to your age, risk and history.
Who may want to understand this screening
Most adults can benefit, even if you feel perfectly healthy. WHO estimates that about 44% of adults with high blood pressure do not know they have it, because most people feel no symptoms.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends checking blood pressure in all adults aged 18 and over. It suggests a yearly check from age 40, or if you are at higher risk, and every 3 to 5 years for adults aged 18 to 39 with normal readings and no extra risk.
The USPSTF also recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese, and notes that people of Asian background may need checking at a lower body weight (BMI 23 or above). It recommends a hepatitis C test at least once for adults aged 18 to 79.
Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have chest pain, breathlessness, unusual thirst and passing a lot of urine, or unexplained weight loss, please see a doctor now rather than waiting for a screening.
What screening may involve
A general screening usually starts with a short chat about your health, family history, lifestyle and any medicines. Your height, weight and BMI (a measure of weight for height) are recorded, and your blood pressure is taken while you sit and rest.
Blood tests commonly considered include blood sugar or HbA1c (an average of your blood sugar over the past few months) and a cholesterol (lipid) profile. Depending on your age and risk, your doctor may suggest others, such as a kidney check, a full blood count or a hepatitis C test.
The visit is usually quick. A blood sample is taken from your arm, and your doctor goes through the results with you once they are ready.
What screening can — and cannot — tell you
Screening can find warning signs early, such as raised blood pressure or blood sugar, so you can make changes or start treatment before problems develop.
A single high blood pressure reading does not mean you have hypertension. WHO defines hypertension as readings of 140/90 or higher on two separate days, and the USPSTF advises confirming readings outside the clinic, for example with home monitoring.
A basic screening does not check for everything. Normal results are reassuring, but they don't rule out all illness, including many cancers and heart problems. WHO warns that screening can also cause harm, such as false alarms, overdiagnosis and false reassurance.
If anything is abnormal, your doctor will explain what it means and whether you need a repeat test, further checks or treatment.
Practical considerations
Ask the clinic whether you need to fast. Some blood sugar and cholesterol tests are done after not eating for several hours, while others, such as HbA1c, don't need fasting. Plain water is usually fine.
Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, and any previous results. If you check your blood pressure at home, bring those readings too. Before your blood pressure is taken, you'll be asked to sit quietly for about 5 minutes so the reading is accurate.
Screening works best when repeated at sensible intervals. Your doctor will suggest when to come back, based on your results and risk.
Sources
1. Screening programmes: a short guide. Increase effectiveness, maximize benefits and minimize harm — World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 2020
2. Hypertension (fact sheet) — World Health Organization, 2025
3. Hypertension in Adults: Screening — US Preventive Services Task Force, 2021
4. Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening — US Preventive Services Task Force, 2021
5. Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults: Screening — US Preventive Services Task Force, 2020
Common questions
Do I need to fast before a general health screening?
It depends on the tests. Some blood sugar and cholesterol tests need a few hours of fasting, but HbA1c does not, so check with the clinic beforehand.
How often should I have my blood pressure checked?
The USPSTF suggests yearly checks from age 40 or if you are at higher risk, and every 3 to 5 years for adults aged 18 to 39 with normal readings and no extra risk.
My results are normal. Does that mean I am completely healthy?
Not necessarily. A basic screening covers only a few common conditions, so see a doctor if you develop new symptoms.
At what age should I be checked for diabetes?
The USPSTF recommends screening adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese, and people of Asian background may need checking at a lower BMI.
Is more testing always better?
No. WHO warns that screening can cause false alarms and overdiagnosis, so your doctor chooses tests that fit your age, risk and history.