Fall Health Reset: 3 Preventive Screenings to Schedule Before Year’s End

Fall is a natural time to reset your health routine. As summer schedules wind down and the end of the year approaches, it’s a good opportunity to catch up on preventive care, review your health numbers, and get ahead of health concerns.

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, we believe preventive care is the foundation of primary care. Our team focuses on identifying health risks early and taking action before they lead to serious complications. If you’ve postponed routine care this year, add these three screenings to your fall checklist.

1. Put a blood pressure check on the calendar

Unchecked high blood pressure damages your heart, blood vessels, and organs over time, even without noticeable symptoms. Routine screenings are essential to catch issues early. It’s even more crucial if you have risk factors such as family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or elevated cholesterol.

A blood pressure check takes under a minute, but the results provide key insights. A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. 

If your readings stay consistently above target, our team can implement an effective management strategy, including specific lifestyle changes, structured monitoring, or medication.

2. Know your cholesterol and blood sugar numbers

You may feel perfectly healthy while your cholesterol or blood sugar levels move in the wrong direction. A simple blood test can clue you in to risks that aren’t obvious from symptoms alone.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol testing helps assess your risk for cardiovascular disease. Here are healthy targets: 

• Total cholesterol: below 200
• LDL cholesterol: below 100
• HDL cholesterol (women): 40-80
• HDL cholesterol (men): 50-80

A healthy lipid profile lowers your risk of heart disease.

A1C

An A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the previous three months and helps identify prediabetes or diabetes. Here are the A1C ranges to know:

• Healthy: Less than 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
• Type 2 diabetes: Above 6.4%

Our practice offers convenient in-house laboratory services, making it easier to complete recommended blood work and discuss results with our team.

3. Check whether you are due for cancer screening

Depending on your age, sex, medical history, and risk factors, you may be due for cancer screening.

For adults at average risk, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45. Several screening options are available, including stool-based tests and colonoscopy.

Women should also ask whether they are due for breast or cervical cancer screening. Current USPSTF guidance recommends mammograms every two years for women ages 40 to 74. Cervical cancer screening recommendations vary by age and the type of test used. 

There are three screening options: Pap test, HPV test, and Pap/HPV co-test. Here are the recommended screening guidelines:

• Ages 21-29: Every 3 years (Pap test)
• Ages 30-65: Every 5 years (Pap test or HPV/Pap test)

Screening isn’t necessary for women over 65 who have had adequate prior screening with negative test results. Women over 65 should continue screening if they haven’t had adequate prior screening or are at high risk for cervical cancer. 

Our team will help determine which screenings make sense for you and when you should have them.

Make this fall your health checkpoint

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, our team provides personalized primary care and cardiovascular services for adults and children over 12 throughout West Bridgewater and southeastern Massachusetts. With in-house laboratory services and access to advanced cardiovascular testing, we make preventive care convenient and comprehensive.

If you’re overdue for a checkup or screening, call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, or book an appointment online before the year ends. A few appointments now can help you start the new year with a clearer picture of your health.