BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

• Have your blood pressure checked every 3 to 5 years. If the top number (systolic number) is between 120 to 139, or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80 to 89 mm Hg, you should have it checked every year.
• If the top number is greater than 140 or the bottom number is greater than 90, schedule an appointment with your provider.
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often, at least once a year.
• Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING

• Recommended starting ages for cholesterol screening are between 20 to 45 for women.
• Women with normal cholesterol levels do not need to have the test repeated for 5 years.
• Repeat testing sooner than needed if changes occur in lifestyle (including weight gain and diet).
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.

DIABETES SCREENING

• If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, your provider will test your blood sugar level for diabetes.
• If you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and have other risk factors for diabetes, you should be screened. Having a BMI over 25 means that you are overweight. Asian Americans should be screened if their BMI is greater than 23.

DENTAL and EYE EXAMS

• Axis staff will help you schedule with a partnering dental clinic once or twice every year for an exam and cleaning, and every 2 years with a partnering vision professional.
• Have an eye exam at least every year if you have diabetes.

IMMUNIZATIONS

• You should get a flu shot every year.
• After age 19, you should have one tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (TdAP) vaccine as one of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.
• You should receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine if you were born after 1980 and never had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine.
• If you were born after 1956 your provider will determine if you should receive at least one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• Your provider may recommend other immunizations if you are at high risk for certain conditions, such as pneumonia.

SKIN SELF-EXAM

• Your provider may check your skin for signs of skin cancer, especially if you’re at high risk.
• People at high risk include those who have had skin cancer before, have close relatives with skin cancer, or have a weakened immune system.

OTHER SCREENING

• Talk with your provider about colon cancer screening if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, or if you have had inflammatory bowel disease or polyps yourself.
• Routine bone density screening of women under 40 is not recommended.

PHYSICAL EXAM

• Your blood pressure should be checked at least every 3 to 5 years.
• Screening for cervical cancer should begin at age 21.
• Your height, weight, and BMI should be checked at every exam.