Cholesterol Specialist Singapore:
LDL, Lp(a) & Advanced Lipid Treatment
High cholesterol is one of the most important, and most treatable, risk factors for heart disease. But not all high cholesterol is the same, and treatment is not one-size-fits-all.
Dr Chan Po Fun is a female consultant cardiologist in Singapore with a focused practice in lipid management, including complex cases that standard care has not fully addressed.
What makes this practice different:
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LDL targets are set based on your individual cardiovascular risk, not a generic reference range
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Full lipid assessment including Lp(a), which is not part of a standard cholesterol panel
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Advanced therapies available for patients who need more than statins
No referral required · Gleneagles & Mount Alvernia ·
Same- or next-day appointments
Who Should See a Cholesterol Specialist in Singapore?
A specialist assessment is particularly valuable if you:
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Have LDL cholesterol above 3.0 mmol/L
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Have been told your cholesterol is "difficult to control" despite medication
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Have a strong family history of early heart disease or heart attack before age 60
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Have existing coronary artery disease, prior heart attack, or stroke
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Have diabetes or hypertension with elevated cholesterol
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Have never had your Lp(a) tested, particularly with a strong family history
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Experience muscle side effects with statins
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Are uncertain whether you need treatment or how aggressive it should be
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Have been referred for consideration of injectable cholesterol therapy
In short: If cholesterol has been raised as a concern but you have not had a structured, personalised risk assessment, this is worth addressing.
Dr Chan Po Fun — Consultant Cardiologist, Lipid Specialist
Dr Chan Po Fun is a consultant cardiologist in Singapore with subspecialty expertise in lipid management and cardiovascular risk reduction. She completed the European Atherosclerosis Society Certificate of Excellence in Lipidology (2023 Update), an EACCME-accredited educational programme.
Her focused practice includes:
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High LDL cholesterol management and cardiovascular risk assessment
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Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) — diagnosis and treatment
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Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] assessment and risk counselling
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Statin intolerance — structured approach to alternative therapies
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Advanced injectable lipid therapies for patients who have not reached LDL targets
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Women's heart health, including cholesterol changes related to menopause
Patients are seen personally throughout their care journey, from initial assessment through to long-term follow-up.
Why Cholesterol Management Is More Than a Number
Elevated LDL cholesterol contributes to the build-up of plaque inside arteries, a process called atherosclerosis, which over time increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease.
What many patients don't realise is that the number on their blood test is only part of the picture. Several factors determine how aggressively cholesterol should be treated:
Your overall cardiovascular risk — A 40-year-old with no risk factors and an LDL of 3.5 mmol/L is in a very different position from a 60-year-old with diabetes and prior coronary artery disease with the same LDL level. Treatment targets are personalised accordingly.
Your LDL target — not just your current level. For many patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or very high cardiovascular risk, guideline-based treatment aims for both an LDL-C below 1.4 mmol/L and at least a 50% reduction from baseline. The appropriate target should still be individualised according to the patient’s diagnosis, risk profile, treatment tolerance and applicable guidelines.
Lp(a) — the hidden risk factor Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically inherited lipid particle that significantly raises cardiovascular risk, independent of LDL. It is not included in a standard cholesterol test, and approximately 1 in 5 people has elevated levels without knowing it. Statins do not reduce Lp(a). Identifying elevated Lp(a) can meaningfully change how a patient's overall risk is managed.
How Cholesterol Is Assessed and Treated
A structured cholesterol assessment goes beyond a single blood test.
A consultation with Dr Chan Po Fun typically includes:
1. Full cardiovascular risk assessment:
Your age, blood pressure, family history, diabetes status, existing heart disease, and prior cardiovascular events are all factored into a personalised risk calculation, not a generic formula.
2. Personalised LDL target:
Based on your risk profile, a specific LDL target is set. This is the number you should be aiming for, not the reference range on your lab report.
3. Lp(a) testing if not previously done:
Given its clinical significance and the fact that most patients have never been tested, Lp(a) is assessed as part of a complete lipid evaluation.
4. ApoB, a sharper measure than LDL alone:
ApoB (apolipoprotein B) reflects the actual number of cholesterol-carrying particles in your blood, not just how much cholesterol they contain. In patients with high triglycerides, diabetes or metabolic syndrome, ApoB can reveal a higher particle burden than LDL alone suggests.
Read more: Apo B explained: Why This Cholesterol Marker Sometimes Matters More Than LDL
5. Review of prior treatment and tolerance:
All previous cholesterol medications, doses tried, and any side effects are reviewed systematically.
5. Personalised treatment plan:
Treatment is selected based on your risk, your targets, your tolerance, and your preferences, not a default protocol.
Cholesterol Treatment Options in Singapore
Treatment for elevated LDL cholesterol follows a stepwise approach, adding therapies as needed to reach the personalised target.
Statins
The most effective first-line cholesterol-lowering medication. Several different statins exist, and switching between them, or adjusting the dose or schedule, can resolve side effects in many patients who think they cannot tolerate statins.
Ezetimibe
An oral tablet that reduces cholesterol absorption from the intestine through a different mechanism from statins. Lowers LDL by a further 15–20% when added to a statin. Generally well-tolerated.
PCSK9 inhibitors (evolocumab / Repatha, alirocumab / Praluent)
Injectable therapies given every 2–4 weeks that block a protein limiting the liver's ability to clear LDL. Can reduce LDL by 50–60% on top of statin therapy. Indicated for familial hypercholesterolaemia, established cardiovascular disease with persistently high LDL, and statin intolerance.
siRNA therapy (inclisiran / Leqvio)
Inclisiran is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy that reduces the liver’s production of PCSK9, helping the liver remove more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. It is given initially, again at three months, and then every six months. Suitability depends on the patient’s cardiovascular risk, LDL level, treatment history and clinical indications.
Who may be a candidate for injectable therapies:
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LDL remains above target despite maximally tolerated statin and ezetimibe
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Familial hypercholesterolaemia
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Established coronary artery disease or prior heart attack requiring aggressive LDL reduction
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Statin intolerance with significant cardiovascular risk
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Elevated Lp(a) alongside high LDL
An honest, evidence-based assessment determines whether it is appropriate for your situation.
Not reaching your LDL target despite treatment?
Statin Side Effects — What to Do If You Have Muscle Pain
Muscle aches (myalgia) are the most common reason patients reduce or stop statins.
In most cases, this does not mean statins are not an option, it means the current approach needs adjustment.
A structured review of statin-related side effects may involve:
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Switching to a different statin with a better individual tolerability profile
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Reducing dose and combining with ezetimibe
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Transitioning to non-statin injectable therapy where clinically appropriate
The goal is always to achieve effective cholesterol control. Stopping statins without a plan is not the answer — but neither is continuing a medication causing genuine side effects without exploring alternatives.
ADVANCED LIPID THERAPIES
For patients who do not reach their LDL target on statins alone, or who cannot tolerate statins, newer treatment options are available in Singapore.
These include injectable therapies that work through different mechanisms from statins, targeting the cholesterol-clearing process in the liver at a more fundamental level.
Who this is most relevant for:
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LDL remains above target despite maximally tolerated statin therapy
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Established coronary artery disease or prior cardiovascular event requiring aggressive LDL reduction
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Familial hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol)
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Statin intolerance limiting effective treatment
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Elevated Lp(a) alongside high LDL
One class of these therapies is administered just twice a year after the initial dosing period, making long-term treatment significantly less burdensome than daily oral medication.
Treatment decisions are always based on a full cardiovascular risk assessment, not the cholesterol number alone. Not every patient with high LDL requires these therapies, and not every patient who asks about them will be a candidate. The goal is an honest, evidence-based evaluation of whether additional treatment is right for you.
Read more: LDL Still High Despite Statins? Advanced Cholesterol Treatment in Singapore
Want to know if advanced lipid therapy is right for you?
Frequently Asked Questions — Cholesterol Management in Singapore
Do I need medication for high cholesterol?
This depends on your overall cardiovascular risk, not just the cholesterol number. Some patients with modestly elevated LDL and no other risk factors can manage with lifestyle changes alone. Others, particularly those with existing heart disease, diabetes, or strong family history, benefit significantly from early medication to reduce long-term risk. A structured assessment helps clarify which category you are in.
What is my target LDL level?
LDL-C targets depend on overall cardiovascular risk. As a general guide, moderate-risk patients may have a target below 2.6 mmol/L, while high-risk patients may aim for below 1.8 mmol/L together with at least a 50% reduction from baseline. For very-high-risk patients, the target may be below 1.4 mmol/L together with at least a 50% reduction. Diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and other factors vary in severity, so they do not automatically place every patient in the same risk category. Your individual target should be set after a complete clinical risk assessment.
What is Lp(a) and should I be tested?
Testing is particularly relevant if you have a personal or family history of premature cardiovascular disease, familial hypercholesterolaemia, or recurrent cardiovascular events despite otherwise appropriate risk-factor management. Current guidelines also support measuring Lp(a) at least once during adulthood.
Are statins safe?
Yes. Statins are among the most extensively studied medications in medicine. Serious side effects are rare. Muscle aches occur in a minority of patients and are usually manageable by adjusting the statin type or dose. The cardiovascular benefits of statins in appropriate patients significantly outweigh the risks.
What if I have muscle pain with statins?
Statin-related muscle symptoms do not necessarily mean you must stop all statin therapy. In most cases, switching to a different statin, reducing the dose, or using an intermittent dosing schedule resolves the problem. For patients who genuinely cannot tolerate any statin, effective non-statin alternatives exist. A structured review of your symptoms and options is the right approach.
Can I be seen without a GP referral?
Yes. You can book directly for a cholesterol assessment and treatment review without a referral letter. Most patients are seen within one to two days of contacting the clinic.
Is there a cholesterol specialist in Singapore?
Yes. Dr Chan Po Fun is a consultant cardiologist with a focused practice in lipid management, including complex cholesterol cases, Lp(a), familial hypercholesterolaemia, and advanced lipid therapies. Many patients specifically seek her for their consultation.
Don't Leave High Cholesterol Unaddressed
High cholesterol is silent, but its consequences are not.
Early, structured treatment significantly reduces the long-term risk of heart attack and stroke.
If you are unsure about your cholesterol results, your treatment plan, or whether you are at your right LDL target, a single consultation can give you clarity.
No referral required · Same- or next-day appointments · Gleneagles & Mount Alvernia