Checklist for your Doctor
Know your numbers.
The following chart lists the medical tests and exams that should be part of your regular office visits. Use this checklist as a tool to talk with your doctor. The recommended schedule is based on a person of average risk. Please ask your doctor what is right for you.
Medical Test / |
Why | What Result Should Be |
How Often Test is Typically Needed |
Blood Pressure |
Controlling your blood pressure can help prevent heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage |
Less than 120/80 |
Every visit, or at least every 2 years |
Smoking status & exposure; and advice to stop smoking |
Smoking increases your risk of heart disease, cancer, asthma and other lung diseases, and can cause problems with pregnancy |
Stop smoking; avoid all tobacco products and smoke exposure |
Every visit |
Weight / Body Mass Index (BMI) | Aiming for a healthy weight can help you feel better and lower your chances of getting other health problems |
BMI 18-24.9 |
Every visit, or at least every 2 years |
Cholesterol (Lipids) | Keeping your LDL low and raising your HDL can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke |
LDL less than 130 mg/dl HDL more than 40 (men), or more than 50 (women) |
At least every 5 years |
Fasting blood sugar |
Over 1 out of 4 people in Maine have a high blood sugar that can develop into diabetes. Screening can help you find diabetes early and avoid future problems |
Less than 100 mg/dl | At least every 3 years if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol |
Breast cancer screening (mammogram) | Many cancers can be treated more effectively if found early |
Normal | Every 2 years starting at age 50; Talk with your doctor at age 40 |
Cervical cancer screening (Pap) |
Many cancers can be treated more effectively if found early | Normal | At least every 3 years |
Colon cancer screening (colonoscopy or other test) |
Many cancers can be treated more effectively if found early | Normal | Every 10 years starting at age 50 (colonoscopy) |
Influenza ("Flu") Vaccine | Vaccines can lower your chance of getting sick | Get the shot | Every year (fall) |
Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine | Vaccines can lower your chance of getting sick | Get the shot | Once when 65 years or older |
the full Prevention Pathway to Health as a PDF
The Maine Pathway to Health is produced and supported by Chronic Disease Partners of Maine and Maine Aligning Forces for Quality, an initiative of Quality Counts, the Maine Health Management Coalition, and the Maine Quality Forum. This effort is made possible with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and by generous contributions from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and MaineHealth.