Screenings

WHAT IS A HEALTH SCREENING?

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Screenings are simple tests to understand your general health status and may provide a warning of potential health risks. Measurements such as body mass index, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, waist circumference and blood glucose may be used as overall health indicators. A health screening is not a replacement for regular exams or visits with your healthcare provider; however, sharing the information you get from a screening with your doctor can help guide your health in-between annual visits.

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

BMI is an estimate of body fat to help assess your risk for diseases related to overweight or obese individuals. While BMI is a standard measurement, there are some limitations for certain body types or ages. Generally, a desirable BMI falls within 18.5 to 24.9.

Adult BMI interpretations for those age 19 and older. Important note: BMI does not distinguish between excess fat, muscle or bone mass. On average, older adults have more body fat than younger adults for an equivalent BMI; women have greater amounts of total body fat than men with an equivalent BMI; and muscular individuals, or highly trained athletes, may have a high BMI because of increased muscle mass.

WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE (WC)

Waist circumference measures excess abdominal fat as an indicator for possible health risks associated with overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you are at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Ranges at higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes:

⇒ Men: >40 inches

⇒ Women (Nonpregnant): >35 inches

BLOOD PRESSURE (BP)

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the arteries when your heart beats and rests. High blood pressure, or hypertension, usually has no major signs or symptoms. If undetected and untreated, hypertension can damage your heart and arteries, increasing risk for heart failure, heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure should be monitored weekly, ideally over an eight-week period, and reported to a healthcare provider if it remains high.

CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a necessary fatty substance to keep your body healthy. Most health screenings measure your total cholesterol while your healthcare provider may look specifically at your HDL (“good”) cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. High cholesterol, often associated with fried foods and saturated and trans fats, is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke and is a part of

your overall health profile. Other risk factors must be considered, such as age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure. If your cholesterol is high, share your screening results with your

healthcare provider, who will help inform you of your specific cholesterol levels and overall health.

BLOOD GLUCOSE

The amount of sugar, or “glucose,” in our blood changes constantly depending on the time of day, your eating and your exercise activities. Health screenings for blood sugar provide a very general snapshot of your sugar levels and reveal the potential for any affiliated health risks such as diabetes. If your blood glucose is out of the normal range, you should consider a test with your healthcare provider, who will determine your true levels and offer appropriate management for you. Keep in mind, the chart below indicates ranges for individuals without diabetes.

DIABETES

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented, and that presently has no known cure. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. Before people develop type 2, they usually have “prediabetes,” which can go undiagnosed for many years and lead to health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and nerve disease. Type 2 is preventable and controllable through lifestyle modifications.

BONE DENSITY AND OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become thin and brittle, making them easy to break. Since there’s no pain associated with bone loss, you may not know you have the disease until you fracture a bone. Getting screened for osteoporosis is very important for early detection and prevention. Risk for osteoporosis goes up with age, women over 50 and people with slender body frames are particularly susceptible. Race and family history also play a part. Here are some things you can do to help prevent osteoporosis, or to slow its progress and avoid complications:

Get regular physical activity.

• Include bone-strengthening activity.
• Practice good nutrition through a balanced diet.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D.
• Limit alcohol and soda.
• Quit smoking.
• Prevent falls.

MOVE MORE WITH AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Regular physical activity is important for good health and can help you:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Reduce high blood pressure.
• Reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke and certain cancers.
• Reduce arthritis pain and associated disabilities.
• Reduce risk for osteoporosis and falls.
• Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Improve sleep quality.

Click here for a list of free exercise classes.

EAT WELL FOR A HEALTHY DIET

Eating right varies based on food preference, culture and medical considerations. Here are three keys to eating healthy:

• Emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish or seafood, beans, eggs and nuts.
• Reduce saturated fats, trans fats, sodium and added sugars.

Click here for a list of free nutrition classes.

SAY NO AND QUIT SMOKING

Cigarette smokers have the highest risk for heart disease and other related conditions. While it is not an easy habit to break, finding the best resources to quit smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.

MENTAL HEALTH

Unmanaged stress has been known to affect blood glucose, blood pressure and other health factors. Learning to manage stress can be a large part of living a healthy lifestyle.

Click here for free mental health classes

Click here for support groups

Click here to take the free mental health assessment and learn what your score means below.

What do your mental health assessment scores mean?

Score of 0-2:  

Your responses indicate that you have few or no symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you notice that your anxiety or depression worsens, you can reach out to your primary care physician or a mental health professional for extra support. For more information on anxiety and depression, please refer to the resources we have provided below. 

This screening tool is not a diagnosis. If you would like a formal assessment or diagnosis, please contact a medical or mental health professional. 

Score of 3-5: 

Your responses indicate that you have mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. You can reach out to a primary care physician or mental health professional who can help prevent your symptoms from worsening and also help you find extra support and resources that meet your specific needs. If you would like more information on anxiety and depression, please refer to the resources we have provided below. 

This screening tool is not a diagnosis. If you would like a formal assessment or diagnosis, please contact a medical or mental health professional. 

Score of 6-8: 

Your responses indicate that you may be experiencing moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression can interfere with being able to complete tasks of daily living. This screening tool is not a diagnosis and experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression does not necessarily mean you have an anxiety or depressive disorder. Anxiety and depression can be related to or caused by other health conditions.  

Your primary care physician or a mental health professional will be able to assess your specific situation and help you find the support that meets your needs. We encourage you to speak with one of these professionals who can explore what the next best step is for you.    

If you would like more information on anxiety and depression, please refer to the resources we have provided below. 

Score of 9-12:  

Your responses indicate that you may be experiencing severe symptoms of anxiety and depression.  Severe symptoms of anxiety and depression can greatly interfere with tasks of daily living. 

If you need immediate assistance, dial 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).

This screening tool is not a diagnosis and experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression does not necessarily mean you have an anxiety or depressive disorder. Anxiety and depression can be related to or caused by other health conditions. Your primary care physician or a mental health professional will be able to assess your specific situation and help you find the support that meets your needs. We encourage you to speak with one of these professionals who can explore what the next best step is for you.    

If you would like more information on anxiety and depression, please refer to the resources we have provided below. 

Local Resources: 

• Baptist Health Care On Demand
• The Recovery Village at Baptist Health

National Resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Partnership to End Addiction
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)