Types of medical tests that are very important to be done each year

Dhwani Vora | Apr 8, 2019, 12:08 IST
No matter how healthy you eat and how fit you try to keep yourselves, it is always advisable to get a full body checkup done regularly. Not out of the fear of having some health issues, but to know if you're fully fit and fine. If you find out that your body lacks something or is unhealthy in any way, you'll realise where you need to put more efforts on in order to do away illnesses. It was World Health Day yesterday and it made us all the more focus and inform you on the topic of the 5 basic medical tests that you must get done each year.

- For your bones: As we grow old, our bones tend to get weak. And there are high risk factors for osteoporosis for both men and women. And this is why it is very important to do a bone density test to help yourself informed about the health of your bones. People over the age of 50 should definitely consider a bone density test.

- For your heart: Knowing that your heart is healthy is very important. And this is why getting blood pressure checkup and blood tests to keep a check on your cholesterol levels, blood triglycerides and a few other things is necessary. High levels might get problematic and also hint on heart diseases and health issues. Hence, getting an electrocardiogram (ECG) will educate you on heart abnormalities. You can also get some obesity tests done to know if you're overweight and if it can raise any health conditions which includes diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Not just that, you also need to get your body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement checked in every couple of years. And if you think you weigh anything on the higher end, you should get it checked more often.

- For bowel cancer: A colonoscopy every five years is required for people who are at higher risks of bowel cancer. It is where the doctor inserts a slim instrument named colonoscope through the anus which visually keeps check on the rectum and large bowel for any sort of abnormalities.

- For diabetes: Depending on the risk level, you'll have to get yourself checked annually or every three years. Tests for the same includes a fasting blood sugar level test and HbA1c that helps measure the average of last three months' sugar readings. You should also notice the family history of diabetes, obesity and overweight. Women who have a diabetes history or has a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at more risks. Not just that but people who have a complicated lifestyle or who smoke also ave higher risk factors of diabetes.

- For women: Since there are more health related issues for women, it is only advisable for women to get a cervical screening test and a breast cancer screening done as it helps in reducing the risk of the same.

Copyright © 2021 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
All rights reserved.