3 Common Medical Tests

The older you get, the more tests it seems you need to ensure you are healthy. Sadly, many people ignore the need for those tests. According to a national poll from NORC at the University of Chicago and the West Health Institute, about 40 percent of Americans report skipping a recommended medical test or treatment. If you want to stay on top of your health, testing is a good preventative medicine. To learn more, check out these three common health tests and the ideal results for each one.

1. Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number measures how much pressure is placed against your arteries during a heartbeat. The diastolic number measures how much pressure is placed against your arteries between heart beats. The ideal blood pressure measurement is 120/80 or less.

It's natural for your blood pressure to fluctuate, but if your blood pressure is consistently above 120/80, your doctor may recommend blood pressure medicine to fight hypertension. It depends on your specific circumstances, but you may be diagnosed with hypertension if your blood pressure is consistently 140/90.

High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, but it can lead to disastrous consequences, such as damage to your cardiovascular system. Since the cardiovascular system assists every part of the body, this means high blood pressure can also affect other parts of the body, such as your kidneys. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.

2. Lipid Panel

Your blood pressure is often taken every time you visit the doctor, but your lipid panel (and other blood tests) may only be performed occasionally. For this reason, it is imperative not to skip these tests. The lipid panel tests your total cholesterol, good cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides.

The ideal results for your lipid panel are 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for total cholesterol, 60 mg/dL for HDL (good cholesterol), less than 100 mg/dL for LDL (bad cholesterol), and 150 mg/dL for triglycerides. As with blood pressure, high cholesterol often has little to no symptoms.

Unfortunately, just like high blood pressure, high cholesterol can cause major damage to your circulatory system, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. You may be able to reduce your cholesterol naturally by changing your eating habits: reducing red meat, fats, carbohydrates, sugars; and adding healthy greens, complex carbohydrates, and lean proteins like fish. Even with changes in diet, however, medication is often needed.

3. Cancer Screening

Your doctor may recommend many types of cancer screenings as you get older. According to the American Cancer Association, cervical cancer screenings for women should start as early as 25 years and should also include testing for HPV. However, most other forms of cancer don't need to be tested for until you are older. For example, women don't usually need to worry about testing for endometrial cancer until menopause.

One of the most important cancers to screen for, however, is colon cancer. Colon cancer is becoming more and more common, and screening should begin around the age of 45. Depending on your overall health and family history, your doctor may recommend a stool-based test or a visual exam.

If ignored, any type of cancer can metastasize throughout the body, making it harder to treat. If you have a family history of a specific cancer, talk to your doctor about it, so you can start screening early, if necessary.

Your health is important, but it can be easy to ignore preventative medicine. If you want to stay healthy for as long as possible, however, preventative testing and lab work can help you stay informed and take early action. For more information about regular health testing or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Nashville Healthcare Center today.