|
Ten Medical Tests
Recommended by Forbes.com
Blood
Pressure Screening-
Though not
a fancy diagnostic test, monitoring blood pressure is crucial
for vascular health, as elevated blood pressure is a risk factor
for heart disease and stroke. At the doctor's office, many
patients get nervous, which typically causes blood pressure to
rise. That's why relying on your physician's reading alone may
not be ideal. At-home blood pressure machines are widely
available and are especially helpful for those trying to monitor
the effects of a blood pressure medication like a beta-blocker.
Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can help lower blood
pressure.
C-Reactive
Protein-This test, for a blood marker called C-reactive
protein, measures the amount of inflammation in the body. Though
not specific to the heart, it has been considered helpful in
diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular problems, since
arterial inflammation is believed to be involved in heart
attacks and strokes. The simple blood test is used as an adjunct
to more traditional measures of risk, such as high cholesterol
and high blood pressure, and is endorsed by the
American Heart Association and the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control as such.
Colonoscopy-The American Gastroenterological Association
recommends screening even for individuals without risk factors
for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50. According to the
American Cancer Society, an estimated 104,950 colon and 40,340
rectal cancer cases are expected to occur in 2005, making
colorectal cancer the third most common cancer in both men and
women. During the test, a long, thin, flexible tube with a scope
attached to it is guided through the colon. For obvious reasons,
virtual colonoscopies--a less invasive technique that uses
computed tomography scans to create computer-generated images of
the colon--are widely considered much more comfortable from the
patient's perspective; but some studies have shown that virtual
colonoscopies miss more polyps than the traditional variety.
CYP450
Test-
Enzymes that encode CYP450
genes--or genes found primarily in the liver, where we
metabolize drugs and other foreign substances that enter the
body--impact the ability of prescription drugs to penetrate the
bloodstream properly. That means that the efficacy of a drug
depends upon the availability of these enzymes. The CYP450 test,
developed by Indianapolis, Ind.-based
Roche Diagnostics, measures the enzyme levels
so that doctors can find the right dosage for your body and see
if you have immunity to a particular drug. Recently cleared by
the Food and Drug Administration, this test is somewhat pricey,
ringing in at about $500.
Diabetes
Screening-The
American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening
of all Americans starting at the age of 45, using one of two
simple, inexpensive tests that can detect early stages of type
II diabetes: the fasting plasma glucose test or the oral glucose
tolerance test. The blood glucose levels measured after these
tests indicate whether you have a normal metabolism, prediabetes
or diabetes. If you are more than 20% above healthy body weight,
you have even more of a reason to get this test, since obesity
is a risk factor for diabetes.
Lipid
Profile-Knowing your cholesterol level is crucial for both
detecting and managing problems with your overall vascular
health, but there's more to cholesterol than just the "bad"
low-density lipoprotein and the "good" high-density lipoprotein.
There are less-traditional blood markers such as lipoprotein
particle size and apolipoprotein that also have been shown to
detect risk. The VAP cholesterol test, a 19-metric cholesterol
scan developed by the Birmingham, Ala.-based lab
Atherotech, is covered by most
insurance companies as a routine cholesterol screening, which
makes it an affordable choice.
Pap Smear-Changes in the cell of the
cervix can show cervical cancer or possibly conditions that
might develop into cancer. Experts recommend that all women who
have been sexually active or who are over age 21 get an annual
Pap smear--a simple test used to detect precancerous conditions
that could lead to cervical cancer.
PSA
Screening-Prostate-specific antigen is a substance released
into a man's blood by his prostate gland. The amount of antigen
in the blood typically increases with age--but it also can be
increased sharply by prostate cancer. The test is done by a
simple blood sample drawn from a vein, most typically from the
arm. Given the high rate of false-negative and false-positive
results--and the costs and risks of further testing--there is a
lot of disagreement among experts about this test. Still, the
American Cancer
Society recommends an annual PSA test for men over age 50.
Skin Cancer Screening-The best way to detect the
early warning signs of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma and malignant melanoma (the three main types of skin
cancer) is to get a yearly skin exam by a dermatologist. Often,
the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color or
size of an existing mole. Asymmetry of a mole is also something
to watch out for, as it can sometimes indicate the presence of
skin cancer.
Stress Test-Designed to determine if
there is adequate blood flow to your heart during increased
levels of activity, this test is ideal for people who might be
at risk for heart disease, especially those over 50. It
typically involves walking or jogging on a treadmill or pedaling
a stationary bike, while your electrocardiogram, heart rate and
blood pressure are all monitored. Physicians use this test to
help determine the likelihood of coronary artery disease. |
