Post by pelicanguy on Feb 23, 2007 12:24:25 GMT -5
From Men's Health
TEST YOURSELF
* Stop serious health problems before they can develop
Serious health problems usually take a while to develop. "You don't just wake up with coronary artery disease," says David Johnson, Ph.D., coauthor of Medical Tests That Can Save Your Life. Some important tests for men:
CRP AND HOMOCYSTEINE TESTS
These blood tests measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma homocysteine, signs of atherosclerosis, a cause of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Ask for them if: You're over 35.
Cost: $75-$140 for both
CAROTID DOPPLER ULTRASOUND
This test can detect signs of carotid-artery disease, the main cause of stroke.
Ask for it if: You have diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, or a family history of stroke; or if you smoke or use drugs.
Cost: $500-$600 at a hospital or clinic. Private companies will do it for only $45, and have a radiologist interpret the images.
PERCENT TRANSFERRIN SATURATION AND SERUM FERRITIN TESTs
About 600,000 men may have hemochromatosis, a genetic disease causing your body to store excess iron. This can lead to heart disease, liver cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and cirrhosis. The earlier it's detected, the more treatable it is.
Ask for them if: You're over 25, especially if you're of northern European descent.
Cost: $100-$150 for both
EBCT SCAN
The images from this scan reveal the "calcium score" in your coronary arteries, which usually correlates with atherosclerotic plaque buildup.
A low score is a near-certain "all clear" sign, but a radiologist must review the results with you.
Ask for it if: You're over 35 and have two other risk factors for CHD, such as family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, or smoking.
Cost: $500
TEST YOURSELF
* Stop serious health problems before they can develop
Serious health problems usually take a while to develop. "You don't just wake up with coronary artery disease," says David Johnson, Ph.D., coauthor of Medical Tests That Can Save Your Life. Some important tests for men:
CRP AND HOMOCYSTEINE TESTS
These blood tests measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma homocysteine, signs of atherosclerosis, a cause of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Ask for them if: You're over 35.
Cost: $75-$140 for both
CAROTID DOPPLER ULTRASOUND
This test can detect signs of carotid-artery disease, the main cause of stroke.
Ask for it if: You have diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, or a family history of stroke; or if you smoke or use drugs.
Cost: $500-$600 at a hospital or clinic. Private companies will do it for only $45, and have a radiologist interpret the images.
PERCENT TRANSFERRIN SATURATION AND SERUM FERRITIN TESTs
About 600,000 men may have hemochromatosis, a genetic disease causing your body to store excess iron. This can lead to heart disease, liver cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and cirrhosis. The earlier it's detected, the more treatable it is.
Ask for them if: You're over 25, especially if you're of northern European descent.
Cost: $100-$150 for both
EBCT SCAN
The images from this scan reveal the "calcium score" in your coronary arteries, which usually correlates with atherosclerotic plaque buildup.
A low score is a near-certain "all clear" sign, but a radiologist must review the results with you.
Ask for it if: You're over 35 and have two other risk factors for CHD, such as family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, or smoking.
Cost: $500