Page 6 - Dignity Health | Be well | Spring 2013

Life has few guarantees, but here are six safeguards to
help you stay as healthy as possible:
1 Get screened. Testing can detect some serious
medical problems before they cause symptoms, when
treatment is often most effective. Key screenings
include tests for:
››High cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart
disease. Starting at age 20, this test is a must if you
use tobacco; are obese; or have diabetes, high blood
pressure, heart disease or blocked arteries. Testing
is also advised at this age if a man in your family had
a heart attack before age 50 or a woman had one
before age 60.
››High blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart
attacks, strokes and kidney disease. Starting at age
18, have your blood pressure checked at least every
two years.
››Diabetes, which can cause problems with your
heart, brain, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves and more.
Get screened if your blood pressure is higher than
135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood
pressure.
››Colorectal cancer. Most adults should start testing
at age 50.
››If you’re a woman, ask your doctor when and how
often you should be screened for breast cancer,
cervical cancer and osteoporosis.
››If you’re a man between ages 65 and 75 and have
smoked, talk to your doctor about being screened
for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
2 Consider preventivemedicine. If you’re a man
45 or older, ask your doctor if you should use aspirin
to help prevent heart disease. If you’re a woman 55 or
older, ask if you should take aspirin to avoid a stroke.
3 Roll up your sleeve. Protect yourself from the
flu by getting a yearly flu shot. Also ask your doctor
what other vaccinations you might need—such as a
pneumonia shot if you’re 65 or older.
Staying healthy
4 Movemore. Be active for at least 2½ hours every
week. Include activities that raise your breathing and
heart rate and strengthen your muscles.
5 Know the risks of drinking alcohol. If there’s any
chance that alcohol may be hurting your health, ask
your doctor for help.
6 Don’t smoke. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to
quit in the past, don’t be discouraged. It often takes
several attempts to quit for good.
“It is so much easier to quit smoking when you have
the support of a group and of a trained smoking ces-
sation facilitator who knows and understands exactly
what you are trying to do,” says Michele Woods, RN,
Mercy Medical Center Redding Clinical Nurse Liai-
son. “You have tried to do this alone—now get practi-
cal and professional help.”
Don’t let your life go up in smoke. You can take charge of your
health and commit to quitting tobacco for good. Call 888.628.1948 for
more information about Dignity Health North State’s free Quit for Good
Smoking Cessation class.
Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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