4 Health Exams Every New Yorker Needs

When was the last time you've seen a doctor for a non emergency matter? The CDC estimates that 82.1% of American adults contacted a health care professional last year, but the reasons why they did are all different. Many people only go to the doctor when they sense something is wrong and "preventative care" is a fancy phrase that will never apply to them. 

New York City residents are very guilty of neglecting their health. When you live in a city that has an outrageously high cost of living, seeing the doctor for an annual check up may not be high on your list of priorities. Preventative health care and tests may cost some money upfront, but they could end up saving you thousands of dollars in healthcare in the future. And when you live in a city full of smog and germs, you need to keep up with your health. If you want to start taking better care of yourself, make sure you see a doctor and request these tests and exams.

Cholesterol Test

Having high cholesterol puts at you at risk of developing heart disease, and millions of Americans have high levels of LDL, the "bad" kind of cholesterol. Testing for cholesterol is easy, and only requires a little blood work. If you have high cholesterol, you should make sure that you get your levels tested at least once a year until you have them under control.

Eye exam

When was the last time you had an eye exam in NYC? Some people that wear glasses assume that they don't need tests after they get their lenses, but people with glasses and contacts have even more reason to make sure that they get their eyes examined frequently. For current patients, some doctors recommend getting an eye exam every 1-2 years. It's suggested that people without vision problems get an exam every 2 years, but to schedule an eye exam immediately if they feel that their vision isn't as good as it used to be.

Diabetes screening

Diabetes is no joke in the United States. Diabetes diagnosis rates have been on the rise over the past decade, and the number of people with pre-diabetes may actually exceed people that are diagnosed with the disease. If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have a family history of diabetes, you need to get checked annually by a doctor. If you absolutely can't afford a doctor, many drugstore chains can administer the test for free.

Blood pressure test

A blood pressure check is very easy to do, and is one of the most important tests you can take. High blood pressure can increase your risk for a heart attack and stroke but, if detected and managed early, a person's risk decreases significantly. You should ideally have a blood pressure test performed at least once a year.