How Much Do Cardiology Tests Cost in Singapore?
Demystifying the costs of common cardiology examinations in Singapore
When it comes to heart health, understanding the costs of cardiology tests is crucial for making informed decisions. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the expenses associated with common cardiology tests in Singapore. But first off, let us dive into why you may even need to see a cardiologist in the first place:
When Should You See a Cardiologist?
It's essential to visit a cardiologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
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Chest Pain: This can be a sign of angina or a heart attack, both of which require immediate medical attention.
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Breathlessness: Difficulty in breathing, especially during physical activity, can indicate heart failure or other serious conditions.
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Palpitations: Feeling your heart beating too fast or irregularly can be a symptom of arrhythmias, which need to be evaluated.
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Dizziness or Syncope: Episodes of dizziness or blackouts can be related to heart issues and should be investigated promptly.
If you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, family history of heart disease, or high cholesterol, it's crucial to see a cardiologist even if you worry about the costs. Early detection and treatment can save your life.
What Happens at Your First Visit to a Cardiologist?
Your first visit to a cardiologist typically involves several key steps:
1. Registration: Upon arrival, you will provide your personal details and any referral letters from your GP or another specialist. You’ll also need to give insurance information if you have coverage.
2. Consultation: Our cardiologist will take a detailed history of your symptoms, past medical history, medication, family history, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol intake. A thorough clinical examination focusing on the heart and vascular system follows. After the examination, the cardiologist will discuss potential diagnoses and decide on the necessary tests for further investigation.
3. Testing: Based on your initial evaluation, the cardiologist may order several tests:
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ECG (Electrocardiogram): This simple test measures the electrical signals of your heart, providing a quick overview of your heart health. At Healthy Heart Specialist Centre, the cost is SGD 58 before GST (SGD 63.22 nett).
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Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test examines the heart’s structure and function. It’s a cornerstone of cardiac assessment, taking about 30 minutes and this costs SGD 399 before GST (SGD 435 nett) at Healthy Heart Specialist Centre.
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Treadmill Stress Test: During this test, you walk on a treadmill while your heart's activity is monitored. The test gradually increases in intensity to assess how your heart responds to physical stress. At Healthy Heart Specialist Centre, the price is SGD 268 before GST (SGD 292.12 nett).
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Cardiac CT or CT Coronary Angiogram: Provide detailed images of the heart and arteries to detect abnormalities. Such scan is SGD 1210 before GST (SGD 1318.90 nett) at Healthy Heart Specialist Centre.
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Cardiac MRI or MRI Heart scan: Provide information on the viability of the heart muscle, accurate assessment of heart size, heart muscle thickness and also evaluate heart muscle inflammation, disease, damages due to coronary artery disease, infiltrative disease, viruses and iron overload. In Healthy Heart Specialist Centre, the cost for MRI Heart with contrast, is SGD 2500 before GST (SGD 2725 nett)
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Cardiac MRI Myocardial Perfusion Imaging or Magnetic Resonance Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MR MPI): Provide information on the myocardial ischemia (lack of oxygen in heart muscle as a result of coronary heart disease or microvascular disease) and also the viability of the heart muscle, accurate assessment of heart size, heart muscle thickness and also evaluate heart muscle inflammation, disease, damages due to coronary artery disease, infiltrative disease, viruses and iron overload. This test is SGD 3500 before GST (SGD 3815 nett) at Healthy Heart Specialist Centre.
4. Follow-Up Appointment: Our cardiologist will discuss test results and the likely diagnosis in a follow-up appointment. We will recommend treatments, which may include medication or minimally invasive procedures.
Can Insurance Cover Costs?
Simply put, if you have good reasons to consult a cardiologist - due to underlying heart conditions or recent worrying symptoms - it is much better to consult a specialist first, without being overly concerned about prices. Investing in your heart health is crucial.
You will naturally want to know how much your Medisave, MediShield and Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) can cover some of these cardiology examinations. The exact costs will differ based on your own insurance plans and coverage, but our staff can walk you through the detailed costing, when you set up an appointment. In general, medisave can be used up to SGD 300 per year for imaging scan such as MRI, CT and ultrasound.
Consult Healthy Heart Specialist Centre
Cardiology tests in Singapore come with varying costs, but understanding these expenses can help you make informed decisions about your heart health.
Early detection and treatment of heart conditions can prevent more severe health issues and save you significant costs in the long run. Don’t let cost concerns prevent you from seeking the necessary care. Regular check-ups and timely interventions by skilled cardiologists in Singapore can help maintain your heart health effectively.
If you have queries or want to set up an appointment with Healthy Heart Specialist Centre, do not hesitate to book a consultation with our in-house cardiologists today.