As it is often said, prevention is better than cure. That is why regular health check-ups are important for maintaining your overall wellbeing and immediately being aware if something is wrong. Ensuring that you have these tests done will also give you peace of mind and a sense of control over what is to come, if anything. To ensure this, it’s crucial not to skip certain health checks.
Essential Health Checks
- BMI – BMI is an estimate of the amount of body fat within your system. The higher your BMI level is, the higher you put yourself at risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers. Your BMI can be calculated when you visit your doctor for a regular check-up.
- Blood pressure – High blood pressure can be a silent killer because it doesn’t tend to present any symptoms. By the time individuals learn about it, it tends to be too late to reverse the effects. It can be a main cause of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, or, sometimes, even death. Thus, make sure to have your blood pressure regularly measured by your doctor.
- Glucose – Checking your glucose levels is a way to test for diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes can cause major health issues, such as vision loss, kidney diseases, and serious heart diseases. If left untreated, it can have long-term effects. Hence, making sure you check your blood glucose levels can help you avoid any complications related to diabetes.
- Cholesterol – Cholesterol can also cause detrimental effects such as strokes and heart diseases. If you have a family history of high cholesterol levels, it is even more essential to have it tested before it’s too late.
- Bone density – As you become older, your bones will become weaker. As time goes by, this can cause conditions such as osteoporosis, where your bones become weak and can easily start to break. If it is tested early on, then your doctor can suggest ways to help strengthen your bones.
In summary, having regular health check ups can be an essential way for you to prevent as well as treat any diseases before they become chronic. Thus, book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible, and ensure you have the above health checks in order.
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Mandy Brincat is a Gestalt psychotherapist who enjoys working therapeutically with adults on various issues. These include general mental health and wellbeing. She also has experience working with anxiety, victims of domestic violence and eating disorders.
References
- DiLonardo, M. J. (2022, January 27). Checkups and Tests You Shouldn’t Miss. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-checkups-needed
- 10 Health Tests You Shouldn’t Skip – The Wellness People. (n.d.). The Wellness People. https://thewellnesspeople.co/health-tests-shouldnt-skip/