When it comes to your health, it isn’t always easy to tell when something is wrong. This is where health screenings come in. Health screenings are tests that look for diseases before symptoms are present; this allows doctors to find diseases early and provide treatment. There are numerous different types of health screenings with their own set of benefits. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of health screenings as well as various health screenings that are available today.
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Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem in the United States and is taking the lives of millions each year. This is why heart health screenings are so important. Heart health screenings uncover risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Prior to the screening, we include a health risk assessment on nutrition, exercise, family history, and more so that the patient can make the necessary lifestyle choices to improve their health.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure screenings are one of the most important screenings when it comes to your health. “The silent killer”, high blood pressure typically does not show any symptoms and often cannot be properly diagnosed without a screening. High blood pressure significantly increases your risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. A blood pressure check is simple and is taken using a gauge, stethoscope or electronic sensor, and a blood pressure cuff.
Cholesterol
Similar to blood pressure, high cholesterol does not typically show symptoms. A cholesterol screening will analyze your levels in addition to medical history and lifestyle factors. While cholesterol is considered to be a form of fat that our body needs, the excess can be harmful to our heart as it builds up. Too much cholesterol can lead to heart complications, high blood pressure, and more. After the screening, a member of the OnSite Health team will discuss the results, provide information and advice on how to manage your cholesterol.
Glucose
Another regular health screening you should consider is blood glucose screenings for diabetes. High glucose levels put you at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Our glucose screenings are performed by taking a “finger-stick” lipid profile that measures HDL, LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol, and more. We recommend screening for diabetes if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of diabetes or if you’re currently overweight with a BMI greater than 25. Testing your blood glucose levels can reflect your need to begin treatment, manage the condition and prevent further complications.
Vision
Vision screenings are an important aspect of health for all ages. Good visual health results in increased quality of life and productivity by decreasing a person’s risk for injury, headaches, and disability from untreated conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Vision screenings are a quick test for identifying undetected problems such as blurred vision, loss of muscle control, and symptoms of major eye problems. OnSite Health can perform assessments of visual acuity, visual fields, and the testing of color vision in order to prevent or detect common visual conditions. Individuals with detected abnormalities will be referred to a specialist for more comprehensive care.
How we Screen: Finger-Poke vs. Venipuncture
When it comes to blood work for a screening, there are two common methods. The “finger-poke” method is our most common screening option. Finger-poke screenings provide immediate results and reveal various measurements such as levels of HDL, LDL, cholesterol, and more. For our finger-poke screening, a two hour fast is requested to provide accurate results.
A venipuncture screening is an arm vein blood draw, an alternative to the finger-poke, and will include a full laboratory workup of a patient’s blood chemistry. In our effort to reduce health care costs for our clients, we have contracted with local labs to offer common laboratory services at a reduced cost. Also, our nurses have been trained in phlebotomy in order to provide comprehensive care so as to limit a patient’s need to travel outside of the employee’s workplace when blood chemistry evaluation and/or monitoring is needed.
Benefits of Health Screenings
By participating in preventative health screenings, you are taking the step toward optimal health. By performing preventative health screenings you can:
- Detect diseases early on, even without symptoms
- Treat diseases before complications and risks arise
- Identify diseases, risks, and conditions that you may not have known about
- Receive information for staying healthy now and in the future
- Reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer
Overall, health screenings have numerous benefits for your health. At OnSite Health our on-site nurses specialize in on-site health screenings for all employees. Health screenings are a great step toward reducing healthcare costs, absenteeism, and building a happier and healthier workforce. Onsite nurses are available to provide workplace health screenings, respirator fit testing, flu shots, and more! The cost for all à la carte services can be nullified or greatly minimized by staffing an OnSite Health nurse. Click here to see a real-world example. To learn more about staffing a nurse at your organization as well as employee health screenings, contact the team at OnSite Health today!
