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Go for a Free Health Screening!

106373569Time for a Health Screening! Make it a Family Affair! And create a healthy habit  to fit into your annual routine! All people young and old may benefit from a traditional health screening!  Typically held in a more relaxed environment, community health fairs might seem easier to get that quick finger prick, find out your body mass index, check your blood pressure, and have a cholesterol and glucose check.  Just the process of participating in a health screening may boost your enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle. You may want to know the red flags to detect a Warning about High Cholesterol. You may know what put’s someone On The Watch List for Diabetes. You may want to ask yourself and know the answer to Are You A Heart Attack Risk? There is also the annual Health Screening that is fully comprehensive based on your age, genetic factors and family history during which time  you may have a meaningful Q and A with your doctor.

Free Health Screenings are offered in many cities throughout the year to offer many answers for you. Health screenings may be part of a Health Fair, community affair or at a hospital.  A Health Screening is a motivator to take on healthy life skills for you and your family!  Check out the details for common quick screens and get some tips!

92395524The Body Mass Index Test

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is usually a reliable calculation of your body fat content. If your BMI is over 25, this typically increases your risk for cardiac conditions, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, select cancers and sleep apnea. If your BMI is over 34, you are considered obese.

Taking Charge

Make your main meal portion sizes no larger than the size of the palm of your hand. Choose healthy foods, such as, lean meats, fruits, vegetables,  whole grains, and low fat dairy. Set a goal to do moderate aerobic activity (any activity in which one foot is off the floor, such as walking) daily for at least 30 minutes. If you are obese, please visit Bariatric Information.

126436272The Cholesterol Test

The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol offers assistance in predicting the risk of developing thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).  Cholesterol ratios that are not normal contribute to heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Taking Charge

If your numbers are out of range, you’ll want to strength your heart muscle with physical aerobic activity. Set a target of at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day.   Maintain a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you are overweight, lose weight.

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The Blood Sugar Test

A blood sugar test measures the glucose (type of sugar) levels  in your blood. Ongoing elevated blood sugar levels may suggest diabetes which may lead to heart disease and stroke.

Taking Charge

If your numbers are out of range, maintain healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Find  moderate aerobic exercises that you can enjoy every day for at least 30 minutes.

The Blood Pressure Test

Your blood pressure is made up of the systolic number (pressure when the heart beats) and the diastolic number (pressure when the heart is resting between beats). Elevated blood pressure, also known as  hypertension, increases the risk for stroke and heart attack.

Taking Charge

If you have  elevated blood pressure or high blood pressure and are overweight, lose weight. Drink no more than one alcoholic beverage a day for women or two for men.  If you use a lot of salt in your diet or choose processed foods, cut back or refrain. If you smoke, quit smoking. Since stress may elevate blood pressure, seek out ways to diminish stress, such as Breathing Meditation, Yoga, Tia Chi and Getting Healthy with the Arts.

Special Note for Tobacco Users

Smoking puts you at a 52% increased risk of cancer. The types of cancer associated with smoking include: lung cancer, cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and voice box. Smoking also increases the risk of early death, stroke, heart attack, fertility issues, and various types of lung conditions.

Taking Charge

There are smoke quit hotlines in cities throughout the world to offer support. There are support groups. There are prescription medications that may assist with quitting smoking. It is wise to speak with your doctor about ways to stop smoking.

There is no doubt that Health Screenings offer a prediction of the likeliness you are on path for a disease,  early detection for the elevated risk of disease or assist in detection of disease itself. In this way, you can take action to prevent the onset of a disease or a more serious life threatening condition.  You’ll also know your baseline numbers which  are helpful for your doctors to know  once you do have a medical condition later in life.

Your doctor is available for a health screening annually. There are different points in life that everyone should be certain to have a health screening for particular conditions, especially if you have a family history of select diseases or have had surgery. The extent of a Health Screening depends upon where you have the Health Screening.  You doctor may offer the most comprehensive Health Screening and let you know what should be screened in the future and when to do so. There are also select online labs that offer the same tests performed during Health Screenings. The credentials of medical professionals, credibility of the company, and level of accuracy among online providers may vary.

Next, Check Out:  The Immunization List

It is important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition.
Your Health Access disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.