Essential Health Tests for Women

Why you need it: Too much cholesterol can block the flow of blood through your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What the test is like: A lipid panel is used to check your total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol and triglyceride (a type of fat found in the bloodstream) levels.

When to start: Cholesterol screening is recommended for everyone ages 20 and older and should be repeated at least once every five years, especially if you smoke, are obese, have diabetes or high blood pressure, or have a family history of heart disease or blocked arteries. However, in an effort to curb childhood obesity, guidelines issued in November 2011 by a panel selected by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends initial cholesterol testing for all children ages 9 to 11, with follow-up testing at 17 to 21 years of age. A cholesterol test is typically included in your regular physical examination. Many people choose to get this test at health fairs or pharmacies but fail to discuss the results with their physician because they are afraid the doctor will tell them to take medicine. It’s worth discussing with your doctor since non-pharmaceutical methods, such as diet and exercise, can be tried first.