Do you feel healthy? Hopefully, the answer is "yes." But, even if you feel great, it's important that you still get regular medical checkups, possibly including some basic screening tests. Screening tests, some as simple as a blood test or x-ray, are important tools that can help your doctor detect potential health problems that may otherwise go unnoticed and lead to serious complications. Here's a look at some common health screens available for women today.

  During a blood pressure test, an inflatable cuff is wrapped around your upper arm while your physician measures your systolic and diastolic blood pressures. These are the high and low pressures that your arteries reach as your heart contracts and relaxes during the process of pumping blood throughout your body. Keeping your blood pressure under control can help reduce your chances of having a stroke, heart attack or even kidney failure. Women who are 21 and older should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, consider getting checked once or more per year.

  Getting a mammogram may cut your risk of dying from breast cancer by as much as one-third.* A mammogram examines breasts for suspicious tissue masses using low-dose x-rays. This procedure can often detect tumors and cysts that are too small to be detected by a manual exam. The American Cancer Society recommends that women start getting mammograms every year beginning at age 40. Your doctor may recommend that you need to start the screening process at an earlier age if you are in a high-risk group for breast cancer.

  High cholesterol levels can dramatically raise your risk for heart disease. A simple blood test can help your doctor determine if you're at risk. The American Heart Association recommends that adults age 20 and over have a cholesterol test once every five years, more often if you have a history of high cholesterol.

  Before the test, your doctor may ask that you not consume foods or beverages (except water, and black coffee or tea) for 12 hours, and try to avoid exercise for up to four hours. This is because food and exercise can falsely elevate the level of cholesterol in your blood.

  A bone density scan can help determine your risk for osteoporosis, a disease which reduces the density of your bones, and can make you more susceptible to fractures.

  Around the time that you enter menopause, your doctor may recommend that you have a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) test of your spine and hip. The test is simple and painless, and can detect bone loss in your hips and spine, where the most debilitating fractures can often occur.**

  Approximately 15 million Americans have diabetes, and more than half of them are women. A fasting plasma glucose test screens for type II diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults get tested for type II diabetes at age 45, and, if the results are normal, every three years after that.

  As always, your physician can be an invaluable source of help if you'd like more information about any of these tests. You can also learn more about health screens (and a wide-range of other topics) at the National Women's Health Information Web site, www.4woman.gov. Or, call their toll-free line at 1-800-994-WOMAN.

Information Source: Mayo Clinic Health Oasis Web site, www.mayohealth.org, May 8, 1997, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, June 1997, American Health For Women, December 1998.