Medical Tests Every Woman Should Have

Heart-Health Test

Why you need it: To ensure that you're not at risk for heart disease, the number one killer of women. Sixty-four percent of women who die from sudden cardiac death have no previous symptoms of this disease.

When and how often: Annual exams starting at age 20. These are especially important if you have a family history of hypertension or premature heart disease, if you're 45 or older, if you're overweight, or if you are a

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Heart-Health Test

Why you need it: To ensure that you're not at risk for heart disease, the number one killer of women. Sixty-four percent of women who die from sudden cardiac death have no previous symptoms of this disease.

When and how often: Annual exams starting at age 20. These are especially important if you have a family history of hypertension or premature heart disease, if you're 45 or older, if you're overweight, or if you are a smoker.

What to expect: At your annual checkup, your doctor will check your blood pressure and listen to your heart for murmurs or irregular heartbeats. If you have been experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and easy fatigue, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist, who will order a stress test and an electrocardiogram to help evaluate your heart and future heart-disease risk.

What the results mean: If your doctor determines that you have an irregular heartbeat or if you're experiencing palpitations, this may indicate a cardiac rhythm disorder that requires medication. If your blood pressure is higher than 130/90, you may be developing hypertension. less