The importance of the phrase “prevention is better than cure” has been widely recognized since times immemorial.
The importance of preventive healthcare has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has confirmed that the reduction in the incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and other diseases in the Western countries arising out of the unhealthy lifestyle choices is a result of preventive measures taken by the community.
The role of preventive health measures in controlling the spread of diseases and their eradication cannot be estimated. Vaccination and immunization in children is one such great example that is being implemented for decades and has saved the lives of millions of children and infants around the world.
Preventive health screening has always been important to us. However, now there is a need to prioritize it, thanks to our chronic lifestyle habits. Our sedentary jobs, unhealthy eating habits, and no time for any kind of physical activity are some of the reasons to blame for diseases and conditions such as hormonal imbalance, diabetes, CHD, and cancers.
A majority of these conditions can be prevented if a proper health check-up is planned and executed on a regular basis. It is highly important for people with limited physical activity to undergo comprehensive health check-up every year so that any potential health hazard can be recognized well before it can manifest itself as a dangerous and life-threatening disease or an event such as heart attack and stroke.
The Who estimated that as much as 60 to 70 percent of the diseases can be prevented if an assessment and intervention is carried out timely. For instance, CHD may develop over a period of time due to deposition of cholesterol in the arteries. This may eventually trigger a heart attack.
However, preventive health check-up can identify the deposition of cholesterol in a timely manner. If it is happening, the individual can take corrective measures and hence make a lifestyle choice that can eventually help prevent a health attack in the future.
Who requires a preventive health check-up?
The incidence of lifestyle-related events and disorders is increasing nowadays in people in the working age group of 35 to 60. There both men and women above the age of 35 are recommended to undergo preventive health assessment at least once a year. This is non-negotiable for people with a significant family history of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol, and heart attack. In fact, they should start undergoing preventive health assessment as they touch the 30s.
Benefits of Preventive Health Check-up
According to this great post, there are several emotional, physical, and financial benefits of preventive health check-up.
Undergoing regular health assessment reduced mental stress and promotes a sense of security in the mind of an individual that everything is alright. It also prevents emotional trauma and saves expenses on delayed medical treatment, chronic disease management, and loss from absence from work.
Some of the major physical benefits associated with preventive health check-up include timely identification of risk factors, assessment of the actual health status, prevention of physical suffering, and through and timely counseling of the patient.
General Health Checks for Men and Woman Above 30
Apart from gender-specific tests such as prostate cancer screening in men and cervical and breast cancer screening in women, there are certain general tests that both men and women above 30 must undergo on a regular basis.
Some of these general tests include the following:
- Full body comprehensive health check-up
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Blood sugar assessment
- Routine dental examination
- Routine urine examination and urine culture
- Lipid profile
- Liver function tests
- Kidney function tests
- Regular ophthalmology test
