Screenings

Do you have high blood pressure? You're not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. While it can be easy to dismiss high blood pressure as a minor health issue, the truth is that it's a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke – two of the leading causes of death in the United States.

That's why it's so important to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

A blood pressure screening is a simple and painless test that can be performed anywhere, including at our mobile and pop-up medical clinics. Our healthcare professionals will wrap a cuff around your upper arm and inflate it to monitor the flow of blood. The cuff is then released, and the healthcare professional uses a stethoscope to listen for the sound of your blood flow as it returns to your arm.

The reading is given as two numbers, the top number (systolic) representing the pressure when your heart contracts and pumps blood, and the bottom number (diastolic) representing the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats. Your systolic and diastolic blood pressure will allow our health professionals to determine whether you are suffering from high blood pressure.

A diabetes screening is a simple blood test that is performed by a medical professional to determine if you have diabetes. The most common type of comprehensive screening is the fasting plasma glucose test, which measures the level of sugar in the blood after fasting for at least eight hours. If the results of the test are high, it may indicate diabetes.

Other types of diabetes screenings include the:

• Oral glucose tolerance test, which involves drinking a sugary solution and then having your blood sugar levels checked two hours later
• Hemoglobin A1C test, which measures the amount of sugar attached to red blood cells.

A regular blood draw is taken from your arm through a needle for both the fasting plasma glucose test and hemoglobin A1C test.

To keep an eye on their blood sugar levels, patients with diabetes regularly test themselves, which involves taking a small sample of blood from a finger prick and then checking the blood sugar levels. The test is quick and easy to do.

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. People with asthma may experience shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. An important part of managing asthma is getting screened for the condition. There are two main types of asthma screenings: spirometry and peak flow measurement.

Spirometry is the most common type of asthma screening. It measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how quickly you can do it. The test is performed using a spirometer, which is a small machine that you blow into. The results of the test will show how well your lungs are functioning.

Peak flow measurement is another type of asthma screening. This test measures the amount of air you can breathe out in one forced breath. The results of the test will show how well your lungs are functioning and whether your asthma is under control.

Both spirometry and peak flow measurement are quick, simple tests that can be performed by your healthcare provider.

A lipid panel is the most common test used to screen for high cholesterol. The test measures the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. LDL is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it can build up in your arteries, causing them to narrow and harden. A high LDL cholesterol level increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

The lipid panel also measures the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in your blood. HDL is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries. A high HDL cholesterol level lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

To screen for high cholesterol, a healthcare provider will usually order a lipid panel. The test can be performed using a simple blood draw from a vein in your arm. No special preparation is required before the test.