Four years ago, my twin brother suffered a heart attack after the death of his eldest son. Being genetically identical, I decided to see a heart specialist to determine whether I was at the same risk.

The specialist recommended an angiogram which I voluntarily undertook, but he found only mild arterial sclerosis (blockages) commensurate with my age and lifestyle. He did not recommend stents or any further treatment apart from medicine to control my blood pressure that was above average, probably exacerbated by the stressful living and work environment we all encounter in Singapore.

I have, for the last few years, diligently taken my medicine, made visits to a heart specialist at the Raffles Hospital, undertaken digital heart scans, stress tests, regular check-ups and lost over 14kg in weight under a controlled-eating programme. I play golf twice a week, tennis and take the recommended 3km walks. I also take a sensible regime of multi vitamins, antioxidants and recommended supplements.

Little did I realise that such investigative measures would ultimately preclude me from being able to get life insurance.

The year after my initial tests, I applied for a life assurance policy with a leading insurance company. I truthfully outlined my medical history as I am aware that this could invalidate any coverage and was informed that due to my so-called 'medical' condition, the premiums would be weighted by 100 per cent.

After the birth of our third and fourth child (twins) and the purchase of a new property in 2007 (forced on us due to en bloc madness), my wife and I applied for a term decreasing insurance policy of $750,000 as security for our siblings.

My wife, who some years ago suffered a slipped disc, had a caveat imposed that 'death by a disc or back-related complication would be excluded'. I was deemed at 54 years of age to be on the medical scrap heap, so my application was refused.

My insurance agent subsequently advised me that the principal insurance company had refused coverage on the basis that it could not get third-party underwriters to share the potential liability.

So here I am in the prime of my working life, anticipating a further 20 years before my children finish their education, a Singapore citizen unable to get insurance. Even worse, I now have to not only declare my medical history in full, but also have to tick that innocuous 'box' that confirms that an insurance company has refused me a policy.

Fortunately, I do have other insurance policies that were taken some years ago and a private family medical protection plan, but the downside is that these are being eroded by inflation and my increased liabilities and should these ever expire then I would not be able to renew them.

So much publicity is given to preventative health checks, rice bowl tests (to use the local colloquialism). We see pamphlets extolling the virtues of cancer marker, diabetes, liver, heart and kidney analysis adorning the reception areas of most hospitals, but you are warned. It's not really in your best financial interests to know if there is anything wrong. This information has to be imparted to the insurance companies which can either load up your policy payments or, as in my case, consider you too risky.

There are two options: Either be proactive taking out large policies in your teens - the earlier the better - when you are young and healthy, or legislate to force insurance companies to provide citizens with insurance cover even if the premium is weighted. Without proper financial protection, how else can we or our families avoid becoming incumbent upon the state should we die or be incapacitated?

Beware the risks of health checks. You may have to live without the possibility of life insurance cover.

Philip Williams