The screenings you need this year depend on your age, sex, family history, lifestyle and personal risk factors.

While there is no single checklist that fits every adult, your annual visit is the perfect time to discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, bone health and infection screenings.

At Heart and Health Medical, our doctors help you understand your health risks. We help you choose the right tests and take steps to stay healthy.

Why You Need Health Screenings Every Year

Health screenings are special tests. They help your doctor find signs of illness before you even feel sick. Catching a sickness early makes it much easier to treat. You do not want to wait until you feel bad.

Your body changes as you get older. A test that was fine last year might show a problem this year.

A yearly checkup lets you talk to your doctor and make a plan to stay healthy. Finding problems early is the best way to live a long and happy life.

Important Heart Health Tests to Talk About

Your heart is the most important muscle in your body. It pumps blood all day and night. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is a leading cause of sickness in the United States.

Heart and Health Medical has special heart doctors called cardiologists. We know exactly what to look for to keep you safe. You should ask about these three heart tests.

Get a Blood Pressure Test

A blood pressure test is fast and does not hurt. The nurse puts a tight band around your arm. It squeezes your arm for just one minute. High numbers mean your heart is working too hard. High blood pressure hurts your heart over time. Every adult should get this test every year.

Check Your Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a type of fat in your blood. Too much bad fat can block the tubes in your body. This makes it hard for blood to move. A simple blood test checks your cholesterol level. Our offices have an on-site blood draw room. You do not have to go to a different building to get your blood drawn.

Ask About an EKG

An EKG is a quick test for your heart. It checks the rhythm of your heartbeat. The doctor puts small stickers on your chest. Wires connect the stickers to a machine. The machine prints a picture of your heartbeat. This helps the doctor see if your heart is beating normally.

At Heart and Health Medical, our cardiology team provides on-site EKG, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound to comprehensively assess and manage your heart health.

Ask About Diabetes and Blood Sugar Tests

High blood sugar can lead to a serious sickness called diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly, often without symptoms until blood sugar is significantly elevated. Early screening helps identify prediabetes. Doctors recommend screening all adults starting at age 35 and earlier for those with risk factors like excess weight or a family history of diabetes.

Screening options include:

• A1C test: Measures average blood sugar over three months
• Fasting blood glucose test: Measures blood sugar after fasting
• Glucose tolerance test: Assesses how the body processes sugar

Our endocrinology services can assist with rapid diagnosis and ongoing management.

Cancer Screenings for Men and Women

Cancer is a serious illness. However, early tests save many lives. Ask your doctor which tests fit your age.

Breast Cancer Tests

Women need to ask about breast cancer tests. This test is called a mammogram. It takes a picture of the breast to look for lumps. The USPSTF says women should start getting this test at age forty.

Colon Cancer Tests

Everyone should ask about colon tests when they turn forty-five. Your colon is part of your stomach area. This test looks for small bumps before they turn into cancer. There are simple tests you can do at home. There are also tests a doctor does in the hospital.

Prostate Cancer Tests

Men need to ask about prostate cancer tests. The prostate is a small gland in a man’s body. Doctors use a simple blood test to check it. Men should talk to their doctor about this test around age fifty.

Check Your Bones, Joints and Feet

Many people forget to check their feet and leg veins. Heart and Health Medical has special foot doctors and a special lab for checking your veins.

If you have foot pain or diabetes, a doctor needs to look at your feet. High blood sugar can hurt the nerves in your toes. A foot doctor is called a podiatrist. They make sure your feet are healthy so you can walk without pain.

Talk About Breathing and Allergy Tests

Do you sneeze a lot in the spring? Do you have trouble taking a deep breath? Tell your doctor about this. At Heart and Health Medical, we have special doctors for your breathing and allergies.

You can ask for an allergy test to see what makes you sneeze or itch. If you have asthma, your breathing tubes get tight.  The doctors can give you medicine to help you breathe all year easily.

Which Infection Screenings Do I Need?

Some infections can remain in the body for years without causing symptoms. Your doctor may recommend testing for:

• Hepatitis C

The CDC recommends that all adults be tested at least once, generally between ages 18 and 79.

• HIV

Testing is advised for everyone ages 15 through 65 at least once and more frequently for those with ongoing risk factors.

• Hepatitis B

The CDC now advises testing all adults at least once, regardless of risk factors.

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea and other STIs is recommended based on age, pregnancy status and sexual history.

What to Bring to Your Yearly Checkup

You want your doctor to give you the best care. To do this, you must help them learn about you. Being ready makes your visit much better. Bring these helpful items to your next visit:

• A written list of all the pills and vitamins you currently take
• A list of any sickness your parents or grandparents had
• Notes about any new physical pain or feelings of sadness
• A copy of your old medical records if you are a new patient
• A list of your questions so you remember to ask them all

FAQs

Can I get all my tests done on the same day?

Not always. Your doctor will talk to you first and do a basic body exam. Then they tell you which tests you need. Some simple blood tests happen on the same day. Other special tests might need a new visit.

Do I need every screening every year?

No. While basics like blood pressure are checked annually, other screenings are repeated every 2, 5, or 10 years depending on your results and risk factors. Your provider will build a tailored schedule for you.

Do I need a test if I feel perfectly fine?

Yes. Many health problems do not make you feel sick right away. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are quiet problems. A test is the only way to know you are truly healthy.

Does insurance pay for health screenings?

Most health insurance plans pay for a yearly checkup. They also pay for standard tests like blood pressure and cholesterol. Our billing team will always check your insurance before your visit to keep things simple for you.

Schedule Your Annual Screening Visit Today

Do not wait until you feel sick to see a doctor. Preventive care keeps you strong and healthy. Our doctors at Heart and Health Medical are here to help you set your health goals.

If you need a blood pressure check, cholesterol test, diabetes test, or bone density test, call us at (516) 878-7899 or go to our website to schedule your yearly wellness exam.

We will look at your risk factors and help you choose the right tests for this year.

Disclaimer

Health screening advice may change and can vary from person to person. This article is for general information only. It does not replace advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your doctor.