Preventive Services

The American Heart Association states that high blood pressure or hypertension can lead to serious health problems. If left undetected or uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to vision loss, kidney disease, heart disease, heart failure, heart attack, stroke or even death.

By making lifestyle changes, like choosing healthier food options and incorporating physical exercise, many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a controlled or healthy range. The recommended blood pressure range is systolic (or top number) being 139 or less and diastolic (or bottom number) being 89 or less. For example, 139/89 or lower is a controlled blood pressure and 140/90 or lower is not controlled. Talk to your provider if medication is necessary for you to remain in the healthy range.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) can be spread through skin-to-skin contact and body fluids during oral, vaginal and anal sex. Before you engage in sexual behavior, it’s important to know how some STIs are commonly passed.

Regular testing is a vital step to protect yourself and your partner(s). It’s possible not to have any symptoms, even when you’ve been exposed to certain STIs. Talk with your provider and request a full STI screening panel to ensure you’re covering all your bases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying up to date on your vaccines, as it is one of the best things you can do to protect your health. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk for infections, talk to your health care provider about which vaccines are right for you.

Starting at age 19 adults should keep up to date on recommended routine vaccines for the following: 

• 1 flu vaccine each year
• 1 Td or Tdap vaccine every 10 years
• 2 Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine and booster on or after 50^th birthday
• 1 Adult pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine on or after 19^th birthday

You need vaccines throughout your life. Click here for a full list of recommended vaccines for adults aged 19 years and older.

Blood pressure

The National Institute of Health (NIH) states if a person has diabetes, they have higher risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a powerful risk factor for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, stroke, and microvascular complications. Hypertension is not only more frequent among diabetics, but those with diabetes also face a higher risk of hypertension than the general population.

By making lifestyle changes, like choosing healthier food options and incorporating physical exercise, many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a controlled or healthy range. The recommended blood pressure range is systolic (or top number) being 139 or less and diastolic (or bottom number) being 89 or less. For example, 139/89 or lower is a controlled blood pressure and 140/90 or higher is not controlled. Discuss with your provider if medication is necessary for you to remain in the healthy range.

hbA1c test

The American Diabetes Association states that the A1c test can be used to diagnose diabetes or understand how your treatment plan is working by giving you a picture of your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. A1c test results are reported as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.

According to the CDC, an A1c level of 8% and above is linked to severe diabetes complications and increases the risk of heart disease, vision loss, nerve damage and kidney disease. Ask your provider if medication is an option to help manage your diabetes and reduce other health risks.

Diabetic eye exam

The National Eye Institute states diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes, with no early symptoms detected. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, let your ophthalmologist (eye specialist) or optometrist know and schedule a diabetic eye exam every year.

Starting at age 45, the American Cancer Society recommends colorectal screening to help detect and prevent colorectal cancer. There are several screening options available to you. Discuss them with your provider to determine which is the best option for you.

The American Cancer Society recommends mammograms for women aged 40 and older, every year to help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.

Reduce your risk by having a mammogram and seeing your provider annually for regular breast exams. Additionally, stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight and diet, limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking.

The American Cancer Society recommends cervical cancer screening at age 21, to detect cervical cancer in its earliest stages. This screening consists of a Pap smear performed by your provider. This test looks for cell changes that might become cancerous if they are not treated appropriately. HPV (human papilloma virus) screening should be included as well, as it can cause cell changes on the cervix.

Anyone that was born with and still has a cervix should undergo cervical cancer screening with HPV testing every 3-5 years depending on age. Women who have had their cervix removed do not have to complete this testing.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends when you find out you're pregnant, make your first prenatal appointment. Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. You can choose a family physician, obstetrician or midwife.

Prenatal screening during your first trimester is crucial for the early detection of any complications. This screening also helps establish care and monitoring throughout your pregnancy and your postpartum exam after delivery.

After your delivery, ACOG also recommends new mothers schedule postpartum checkups. This critical “fourth trimester” focuses on recovery after childbirth, establishes a foundation for a mother’s health going forward and addresses any problems early. Talk to your doctor about postpartum depression screening to identify and address mental health challenges.

The CDC recommends pregnant women receive 1 flu shot* and 1 Td or Tdap vaccine. If you are pregnant, talk to your provider about other vaccines that may be right for you.

*The flu is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization in pregnant people and may be harmful for the developing baby. Getting vaccinated while pregnant can help protect a baby from the flu and Tdap after birth. People who get the flu shot while pregnant or breastfeeding also develop antibodies against flu that they can share with their infants through their breast milk for the first 6 months of their life.