4 Preventative Health Screenings to Consider
When it comes to health, we strongly believe it’s better to be proactive than reactive. The majority follows the same path of waiting to see the doctor until things escalate. Our question is – Why can’t staying healthy start before the symptoms show up? Healthcare has now advanced to the point where you can rule out an issue before it even properly starts. The condition is to routinely get preventative screening tests.
Whether you’re in your 20s or nearing the elder citizen mark, a few simple checkups can go a long way in protecting your long-term well-being. In this piece, we’ve outlined four such diagnostic tests everyone should consider. These range from simple blood tests to advanced scans. Keep on reading for a better idea!
1 – Full Blood Count
Whenever you go for a health screening, a full blood count will be the first test your doctor would recommend. Or more accurately, the first few tests your doctor would suggest. If it’s still not clear, it includes a number of diagnostic tests to assess different bodily functions. These range from Platelet Count & Haemoglobin to HbA1c & lipid panel for ruling out diabetes & cardiovascular risk. Apart from this, it’ll also have several kidneys, thyroid & liver function tests to check for metabolic disorders. Based on your health, the GP might also add iron levels to the list. We’d suggest booking the pin-prick version by using the Vista Health Promo Code.
2 – CA-125/PSA Blood Test
Next up on the list, we have CA-125 or PSA Blood test. Never heard of these two? These are short for Cancer Antigen 125 & Prostate Specific Antigen respectively. While CA-125 is for women, the other one is for men. During the last 5 years, cancer has advanced as the leading cause of death. We are exposed to hundreds of carcinogens every day, which we can’t help. Thankfully, the disease is not untreatable anymore. The most effective strategy is to nip it in the bud. However, you’ll also need an early detection for that. These two tests help identify the risk of many reproductive system tumours.
3 – Detailed full body MRI scan
For those who might not know, an MRI is a detailed imaging technique which visualises many internal structures. While you can get one for separate body parts or areas, a full-body one is more beneficial. It gives a comprehensive picture of your health, potentially leading to timely interventions and improved health outcomes. From early detection of tumours to identifying complex neurological or musculoskeletal issues – it serves a range of different purposes. However, keep in mind that it’s not a part of routine screening. If your other tests indicate something suspicious, only then would a healthcare provider recommend this.
4 – Heart Health Assessment
The list would be incomplete without mentioning something to assess the cardiovascular function. It would be quite hard to limit the list to one single test or scan. We have devised a more of a plan for you. Start by booking a consultation with a GP to get an idea about your cardiovascular risk. They will probably recommend you some blood tests, usually a lipid panel, lipoprotein levels & hs-CRP. If something looks alarming in your reports, the next step would be getting a scan. Now there are a number of options ranging from Echocardiogram to CT Coronary Angiogram, CT Calcium Scanning or Cardiac MRI. A specialist would guide you in the best way about this.
