Health Test: 7 Important Men's Health Screenings You Should Know About

Going for a regular men’s health screening is key to living a healthy life. Such medical tests help identify health problems early so you can get treatment before it becomes serious. With a preventive health test, you can also manage your lifestyle to reduce your risk of certain diseases that you may be prone to. For instance, when not treated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, loss of vision [1], and impotence in men. Health checkups prevent such severe issues from occurring. 

Your risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure or cancer increases as you age. However, you can book a men's full health check depending on your age, family history, and lifestyle [2]. Here are the most common health tests that form a part of men's health screenings. 

Additional Read: What is the Alkaline Phosphatase Level Test? What is its Importance?

7 Top Medical Tests for Men

Lipid Profile

This blood test measures your cholesterol level and provides a reading of a type of fat called triglycerides. A triglyceride level of less than 100 mg/dL is considered optimal. If your triglycerides level is high, it raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This is because high triglycerides are linked to metabolic syndrome.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance found in blood and gives structures to your body’s cells. A high level of cholesterol increases your risk of health conditions like stroke and heart disease. Men above the age of 35 should get their cholesterol levels checked regularly every five years. Screening for cholesterol should begin at the age of 20 if you have certain risk factors. These include

• Tobacco addiction

• Obesity

• Family history of stroke or heart attack

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

The doctor will draw a sample of blood from your arm to measure your cholesterol. The results include HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides. A healthy count of cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL [3]. You can improve your cholesterol levels by staying physically active and eating healthy foods.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension, if not treated, can lead to health problems like heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Get your blood pressure checked every two years or as your doctor advises. Normal blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg [4]. If you have blood pressure that is higher than normal, get checked more frequently. Blood pressure can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.

Diabetes

A single test is usually not enough to diagnose diabetes. The tests include a hemoglobin A1C blood test, a fasting plasma glucose test, or an oral glucose tolerance test. Blood pressure more than 135/80 mm Hg may also be a sign of diabetes. Consult with your doctor if you have pre-existing health conditions like high cholesterol, a family history of diabetes, or symptoms of diabetes [5]. Diabetes can lead to further health complications.

Colorectal Cancer

Men should get a colonoscopy health test done by the age of 50. It has a painless procedure to detect colon cancer early. It helps your doctor to identify and remove pre-cancerous cells. You should get tested early if you have a family history of colorectal cancer. The disease affects the colon, rectum, and anus, and can be fatal if not managed on time.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men. It may be an early sign of cancer if your prostate grows over time. Men over the age of 45 should get themselves tested regularly. Talk to your doctor about getting screened for prostate cancer, its benefits, and its risks. Those who opt for screening undergo two tests – digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

HIV

Men around the age of 65 should get screened for HIV. It is a virus that affects your immune system. It also reduces your body’s ability to protect against infections or diseases. Once diagnosed, HIV never goes away. However, you can talk to your doctor about ways to manage it. Getting a health test done is necessary to identify the virus and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

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Career, family, and other goals may often be the reason to postpone a men’s health screening or a routine health test. But these medical tests not only keep you safer but also protect your finances! Get a full body checkup done easily by booking lab test packages on Bajaj Finserv Health. Such packages offer money-saving deals and help you become more informed about your health concerns. So, get to it today and treat your health like the wealth it is!