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9
Medical
Tests
That
Could
Save
Your Life
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

This Article sponsored by
GEL
Hands-Free Applicator
Many people have an annual physical with their doctor with the
belief that this will safeguard their health. However, it is unlikely
that a 20 minute examination is going to pick up every problem.
For some people, especially those with specific health risks, there
are 9 key tests that are not routine. These could one day save your
life, and you should ask your doctor about these.
Modern healthcare is all about prevention, but to prevent any
problems we need to catch them before they are advanced enough
to cause a problem. There are many tests your doctor can do but
will not order for you unless you specifically ask for them; some of
these should be routine and all of them could save your life.
Health I Medical 99

1 HS-CRP – The High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Test
If you have a family history of cardiovascular disease (heart/circulation
problems) or cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke) this is a good test for
you. If you are over 35, if you
smoke or if you have
diabetes, you should also
probably have this test.
The hs-CRP is a blood test
which measures a blood
borne protein which can
indicate a type of
inflammation linked to an
increased risk of the above
conditions.
2 Carotid Duplex Ultrasound
This ultrasound examination is a non invasive procedure where a probe is
passed across your carotid arteries looking for reduced blood flow or
blockages. The ultrasound looks at the 2 blood vessels that go to the brain. It
uses B-mode imaging which creates a 3D picture of the walls of your arteries.
As part of the same test, Doppler scanning is used to measure the speed of
blood flow by passing
ultrasound pulses into the
arteries. You should ask
for this test if you are over
50 and your medical
history includes mini
strokes (also known as TIA
or Transient Ischemic
Attack). If you have any
other risk factors for heart
problems or stroke you
should ask for this test.
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3 EBT - Electron Beam Tomogram
This is a special form of a CT (Computed
Tomography) scan which measures the
amount of calcium present in the
coronary arteries. These levels can
predict your risk of heart disease. The
machine will scan your chest, giving a
detailed and clear image which
surpasses that obtained by ordinary CT
or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
scans.
4 Isotope Treadmill Stress Test
This is a 3-part test that locates areas of
reduced blood flow in the heart and can
ascertain its severity and pinpoint a risk
for heart disease. The test is for those
over 45 and may be ordered if you want
to start a new exercise regime or if you
have more than 3 major risk factors for
heart disease. The first part of the test
takes an image whilst you are at rest.
From here you proceed to a treadmill
test. Your blood pressure and pulse are
monitored and you are wired to an EKG
which allows the doctor to check for
signs of stress to your heart. The final
part of the test involves more imaging.
This time a radioactive isotope is
injected into a vein and the scanner
follows its progress around the body,
highlighting any areas of plaque and
hampered blood flow.
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Health I Medical 101

5 The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
The PSA Velocity Test involves a set of 3 blood tests over a period of 24 months
to check for PSA levels in the blood. If they are raised you may be at a higher
risk of prostate cancer and you will be offered more tests. If you are over 50
you should have this test. Those over 45 with risk factors should also ask for
this test. Risk factors include smoking, a family history of prostate cancer and
a diet high in animal fats. Ethnicity can also be a factor, with African
Americans being at a higher risk.
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6 Colonoscopy
This is an invasive procedure which looks at the inside of your bowel by
passing a colonoscope through the rectum and along the entirety of the bowel.
This can be uncomfortable so a sedative is given to help with this. For a
successful test, the bowel must be completely clean. In fact, the worst part of
the test is often the laxative that you have to take the day before the procedure.
The test takes 15-30 minutes and is given to anyone over 50, or over 40 if you
have a family history of cancer of the colon or inflammatory bowel disease.
Heavy use of alcohol, tobacco
or a history of polyps in the
colon are also good reasons to
have this test. The test will
look for any abnormalities in
the bowel itself: Inflammation,
polyps and cancers.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

7 Fasting Blood Glucose Test
This blood test is done in order to check for diabetes and is useful if you have
any risk factors and you are over 30. Those who are obese, have a sedentary
lifestyle and a family history of type-2 diabetes are good candidates for this test
Ethnicity can also be a factor, with
African Americans, Hispanics and Native
Americans having a higher risk. If your
blood glucose levels are abnormal it can
indicate that you have a higher risk of
developing type-2 diabetes.
8 Homocysteine Test
This is a blood test that looks for a natural amino acid, homocysteine. If the
level is too high it can mean you are at higher risk of contracting heart disease
or having a stroke. This test should be
Done if you are over 35 with any risk
factors for heart disease and/or stroke.
The test is done after fasting so you
cannot eat for a minimum of 8 hours
before the blood is drawn.
9 Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan
This is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging test that checks how porous the
bones are. It works by passing the imaging machine across your body whilst
you lie on a couch. This is a test for osteoporosis and looks at both the mass
and the density of the bones. Risk
factors for osteoporosis include smoking,
drinking a lot of alcohol or caffeinated
drinks, poor diet that is low in calcium, a
lack of vitamin D and a family history of
osteoporosis. If you are over 50 and
have 2 or more risk factors then this test
is recommended.
Health I Medical 103