Healthy Living

Medical Exams You Shouldn’t Skip

Health screenings increase successful treatment and avoid disease complications

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Health screenings and exams allow disease to be caught early enough for successful intervention and to prevent complications. Though health is best maintained through preventative medical care, some tests are necessary depending on your age, family history, gender, and current health condition. However, there are a few must-do exams that stand out regardless of the specifics.

Regular Physical

A regular physical is important for a number of reasons, not least of which is to ensure changes in your health are caught before they cause problems.

1. Blood pressure monitoring: The increasing rate of childhood obesity brings along with it a higher risk of heart disease and hypertension. Hypertension (i.e., chronically high blood pressure) increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and it is present in half of adults in the United States, with some ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, at particular risk of developing it even younger. By monitoring your blood pressure at regular exams, your family doctor can intervene early, suggesting lifestyle adjustments or medications to control your blood pressure, or check your blood…