In addition to having your cholesterol checked, talk to your doctor about these important health screenings.
Weight and Height
Losing as little as five to 10 percent of your body weight can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes. How Often: Once a year or more often if overweight.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your BMI measures the relation between your height and your weight. A healthy BMI is considered between 18.5 and 24.9.
Blood Pressure
Anything over 140/90 is considered high blood pressure, increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke. How Often: Once a year or more often if high.
Mammogram
This exam checks for breast cancer in women. How Often: Once a year starting at age 40 as long as you are in good health.
Prostate Exam
Checks for prostate cancer, the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting 1 in 7 men. How Often: Talk to your doctor to determine which prostate exams are right for you.
Colonoscopy
This procedure looks inside the large intestine for cancer or pre-cancerous growth. How Often: Once every 10 years starting at age 50.