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Annual Check Up

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Get Your Annual Check Up

Screenings, Vaccines and Your Numbers

Your annual checkup is an important tool to help you manage your health. By following your doctor’s recommendations for routine blood tests, screenings and vaccinations, you can identify and address minor health concerns in their early stages—before they lead to major problems. Your annual physical is also a great time to review your medication, vaccination and health histories, discuss bothersome symptoms, ask questions, and update your doctor on your progress toward your health goals.

Know Your Numbers

During your annual checkup, your doctor will order blood tests and other screenings to assess your overall health. These test results, which are often referred to as your “numbers,” can help identify risk factors for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your doctor will determine which tests are right for you based on your age, lifestyle and other factors.

Common Tests Include:

  • Blood Pressure Screening

    Blood pressure screenings measure the force of your blood against your arteries when your heart beats and rests. High blood pressure needs to be treated since it can damage your heart and lead to heart attack, heart disease and stroke. A reading of less than 130/80 is considered normal.

  • Cholesterol Screening

    A cholesterol screening measures the amount of cholesterol, a waxy substance produced by your liver, in your blood. We have both “good” and “bad” cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attack, heart disease and stroke.

  • Cholesterol Reading

    A total cholesterol reading of less than 200 mg/dL is considered normal. An LDL (“bad” cholesterol) reading of less than 130 mg/dL is considered normal, and an HDL (“good” cholesterol) reading of greater than 60 mg/dL is considered normal.

  • Blood GlucoseScreening

    A blood glucose screening measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. The test is used to check for diabetes and pre diabetes. A reading that falls between 4 and 5.6 percent is considered normal.

  • Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Your BMI is calculated using your height and weight and helps determine if you are at a healthy weight. A BMI between 18.6 and 24.9 is considered normal.

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening

    PSA screening is recommended for men older than age 50. This test measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by your prostate gland, in your blood to check for signs of prostate cancer. A reading of 4.0 ng/mL is considered normal.