Learn about which screening tests to get, whether you need medicines to prevent diseases, and steps you can take for good health. Get the Screenings You Need
Screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. Blood pressure checks and tests for high cholesterol are examples of screenings.
You can get some screenings, such as blood pressure readings, in your doctor's office. Others such as colonoscopy, a test for colorectal cancer, need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office.
After a screening test, ask when you will see the results and who you should talk to about them.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever been a smoker, talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA is a bulging in your abdominal aorta, the largest artery in your body. An AAA may burst, which can cause dangerous bleeding and death.
Colorectal Cancer
Have a screening test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier. Several different tests can detect this cancer. Your doctor can help you decide which is best for you.
Depression
Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. Talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for depression especially if during the last 2 weeks:
You have felt down, sad, or hopeless.
You have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things.
Diabetes. Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medication for high blood pressure.
Diabetes (high blood sugar) can cause problems with your heart, brain, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts.
High Blood Pressure
Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney and eye problems, and heart failure.
High Cholesterol
If you are 35 or older, have your cholesterol checked. Have your cholesterol checked starting at age 20 if:
You use tobacco.
You are obese.
You have diabetes or high blood pressure.
You have a personal history of heart disease or blocked arteries.
A man in your family had a heart attack before age 50 or a woman, before age 60.
HIV
Talk with your health care team about HIV screening if any of these apply to you:
You have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
You have sex with men.
You use or have used injection drugs or injection anabolic steroids.
You exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
You have or had a sex partner who is HIV-infected or injects drugs.
You are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease.
You had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.
You have any other concerns.
Syphilis
Ask your doctor or nurse whether you should be screened for syphilis.
Overweight and Obesity
If you are obese, talk to your doctor or nurse about seeking intensive counseling and getting help with changing your behaviors to lose weight. Overweight and obesity can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. Blood pressure checks and tests for high cholesterol are examples of screenings.
You can get some screenings, such as blood pressure readings, in your doctor's office. Others such as colonoscopy, a test for colorectal cancer, need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office.
After a screening test, ask when you will see the results and who you should talk to about them.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever been a smoker, talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA is a bulging in your abdominal aorta, the largest artery in your body. An AAA may burst, which can cause dangerous bleeding and death.
Colorectal Cancer
Have a screening test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier. Several different tests can detect this cancer. Your doctor can help you decide which is best for you.
Depression
Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. Talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for depression especially if during the last 2 weeks:
You have felt down, sad, or hopeless.
You have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things.
Diabetes. Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medication for high blood pressure.
Diabetes (high blood sugar) can cause problems with your heart, brain, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts.
High Blood Pressure
Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney and eye problems, and heart failure.
High Cholesterol
If you are 35 or older, have your cholesterol checked. Have your cholesterol checked starting at age 20 if:
You use tobacco.
You are obese.
You have diabetes or high blood pressure.
You have a personal history of heart disease or blocked arteries.
A man in your family had a heart attack before age 50 or a woman, before age 60.
HIV
Talk with your health care team about HIV screening if any of these apply to you:
You have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
You have sex with men.
You use or have used injection drugs or injection anabolic steroids.
You exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
You have or had a sex partner who is HIV-infected or injects drugs.
You are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease.
You had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.
You have any other concerns.
Syphilis
Ask your doctor or nurse whether you should be screened for syphilis.
Overweight and Obesity
If you are obese, talk to your doctor or nurse about seeking intensive counseling and getting help with changing your behaviors to lose weight. Overweight and obesity can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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