5 free (or almost free) non-negotiable habits for a longer and healthier life

I used to think statins were for ‘old people.’ Then my cholesterol hit 271 — and reality hit even harder.

- Sumiko Tan

If there's one thing I have no regrets about in 2025, it's finally starting on statins.

Ever since I hit menopause, my cholesterol levels have been rising steadily, even though my diet isn’t particularly heavy on processed meats, fried food or creamy dishes.

Back in 2013 when I was 50, my total cholesterol was 179 mg/dL, comfortably within the desirable range of under 200 mg/dL. By 2019, it had crept up to 198, then 227 in 2020, and 261 in 2022.

The doctors I spoke to over the years had the same advice: Watch your diet and exercise more. I didn’t bring up statins, thinking I could manage my cholesterol levels naturally.

To be honest, I was also secretly proud of myself for reaching 60 and still not needing medication.

That all changed in July 2025 during my company’s annual health screening. My total cholesterol had shot up to 271 mg/dL.

The GP I consulted didn’t mince his words. “That’s bad,” he said. He started me on a daily 10mg dose of rosuvastatin and asked me to follow up in three months.

The best part? I didn’t have to use cash for the statin as it’s covered by MediSave.

Statins can have side effects like muscle pain and digestive problems, but I experienced none.

At the end of September, I took another test to check both cholesterol and liver function, as statins can also affect the liver.

My total cholesterol had dropped to 122 mg/dL. All other readings - HDL, LDL, triglycerides and cholesterol/HDL ratio — were in the healthy range. My liver function was fine too. The doctor even said I could reduce the dosage.

The results came as a huge relief. With statins, my risk for heart attack and stroke has been lowered.

This experience taught me an important lesson: sometimes, taking medication isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. It’s a proactive step towards long-term health.