It’s important to be proactive about your health. You know you should be eating right and exercising, but there are other things you can do to stay healthy, too. One of them is getting regular health screenings. But what screenings should you be getting? It depends on several factors, such as your age, family history, and lifestyle. In this blog post, we will go over some of the most important health screenings you should be getting on a regular basis. ###
Blood pressure screening
It’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, as high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Your doctor can check your blood pressure during a routine appointment. If you have high blood pressure, you may need to make lifestyle changes and take medication. These steps can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Cholesterol screening
There are a few different types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. LDL is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in your arteries and form plaque. HDL is often referred to as the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL from your arteries. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. You should have your cholesterol checked every 4-6 years starting at age 20. If you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors, you may need to be checked more often. A simple blood test can tell you what your levels are. Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes and/or medication if your levels are too high. Making simple changes like eating a healthier diet, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise can help lower your cholesterol.
Diabetes screening
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in two adults over the age of 65 has diabetes. Furthermore, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. With these statistics in mind, it’s clear that diabetes screening is an important health screening for adults. There are several ways to screen for diabetes. The most common way is through a fasting blood sugar test. This test measures your blood sugar after you have fasted for at least eight hours. A normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL. If your fasting blood sugar level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you have prediabetes. If your fasting blood sugar level is 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions, you have diabetes. Another way to screen for diabetes is through an A1C test. This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher indicates that you have diabetes. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, it’s important to make lifestyle changes to prevent progression to diabetes. These changes include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and losing weight if necessary. If you have diabetes, it’s important to control your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.