Health tests you should never miss

Blood Pressure Test

• Blood pressure is measured by a quick, painless test using a medical instrument called a sphygmomanometer.
• Your doctor or another qualified health professional should check it at least once every two years
• Normal blood pressure is 120/90
• Elevated blood pressure (over 135/85) is a risk factor for heart disease.
• High Blood pressure is (140/90)
• If you have high blood pressure you should have it checked at least twice a year.
• If you need to have your blood pressure checked frequently, ask you doctor about home blood pressure monitoring.

Cholesterol Check

• High cholesterol increases your rest of heart disease
• Ask for a breakdown of your HDL and LDL
• Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
• Borderline high risk — 200–239 mg/dL
• High risk — 240 mg/dL and over

Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam

• Pap smear and pelvic exam are used to detect cervical cancer, and abnormalities in the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Blood-Sugar Test

• Blood-sugar tests include several different tests that measure the amount of sugar in a person's blood.
• Blood-sugar tests s are done either on an empty stomach, or after consuming a meal or pre measured glucose drink.
• Blood-sugar tests are done primarily to diagnose and evaluate a person with diabetes.
• There are several kinds of blood-sugar tests:
  • Fasting blood-sugar
    • Measures the amount of sugar in your blood after you fast for 8 hours.
    • Normal is between 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and to 100 milligrams per deciliter.
    • If your doctor is going to do a fasting plasma glucose test, schedule it for first thing in the morning.
  • Random blood-sugar
    • Measures your blood sugar without considering the last time you ate a meal, snack or beverage containing calories.
    • Normal is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter.
  • 2-hour glucose tolerance test
    • Measures your body's response to sugar.
    • Normal is 140 milligrams per deciliter.
  • Glycated hemoglobin test
    • Reflects your average blood sugar level for the two- to three-month period before the test.
    • Used to determine how well you're managing your blood sugar if you have diabetes.

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