Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. This important number can give your provider a good idea about your overall health.

You usually see it written with two numbers:

• The first number is when the heart squeezes. That’s called systolic pressure.
• The second number is when the heart relaxes. That’s called diastolic pressure.^*

High blood pressure happens when the force of your blood is too strong. It can make your heart work harder than it needs to. It’s like blowing up a balloon with too much air — it can stretch and damage the balloon.

It’s important to have your blood pressure checked every year. Your provider can do this at your covered annual wellness visit. If your BP is high or you have a chronic health condition, they may recommend testing at home too. You can use your CVS^® brand health and wellness discount to get a blood pressure monitor. Learn more about using your discount here.

A bone density test helps to find osteoporosis. This is a condition that makes bones weak and more likely to break. It can also increase your risk of falling. Women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis because they start to lose bone density after menopause. But men can get the condition as well.

Women 65 or older should get a bone density test at least once.^* Your provider may suggest a bone density test sooner if you have certain risk factors, like smoking or heavy alcohol drinking.

This is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over recent months. It can diagnose diabetes and track diabetes management. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body uses sugar (or glucose) for energy. It will stay in your blood instead of moving into your cells.

About 30 percent of adults 65 and older have diabetes.* Your provider may recommend an A1C test if you are at risk of diabetes or have symptoms of the condition.

Cholesterol is a waxy fat in your blood that helps your body make hormones, vitamins and other important substances. But unhealthy amounts can lead to heart disease.

There are two types: 

• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): This is known as “bad” cholesterol. Too much can build up in your arteries, restricting blood flow. This can increase the risk of heart attack and cause illnesses like heart disease.  
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): This is known as "good" cholesterol. It helps remove excess cholesterol, helping clean up your blood to keep your heart healthy.

Experts recommend getting your cholesterol checked every four to six years.* Ask your provider if it’s time to get yours checked. They may advise testing more often if you have a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes.

People who smoke and former smokers have a higher risk for lung cancer. Tobacco has many cancer-causing substances (called carcinogens). These lead to lung cancer and other illnesses. Regular screenings can help detect the disease early, when it’s easier to treat.   

Talk to your provider about lung cancer screening if you are over age 50 and: 

• Smoke, or quit smoking in the past 15 years 
• Have a 20-pack-year or more smoking history. (A “pack-year” is an average of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for a year.)

Routine dental appointments can help catch oral diseases and other conditions such as:

• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Osteoporosis

Everyone should visit the dentist for a routine exam and cleaning. You have dental coverage. To learn more about your dental benefit, visit your secure member website at AetnaMedicare.com/LG. Visit AetnaDental.com to find an in-network dental provider.

Hearing loss can occur for many reasons, including age, noise damage or ear infections. Having trouble hearing can make you feel isolated from friends and family, and even tired from straining to hear. But you can catch it early by staying on top of your annual hearing exams. 

When to get it: Adults aged 65 and older should get their hearing tested. You should also make an appointment if you notice you are having trouble hearing. Your provider can remove wax blockages, recommend hearing aids that can strengthen sound and more. Check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) to learn more about your hearing coverage.

Routine eye exams are for more than just checking your vision. Your eye provider can also check for other eye diseases that may not have obvious symptoms, like glaucoma and macular degeneration.  Glaucoma happens when pressure builds up in the eye and can hurt the nerve that helps you see. And macular degeneration causes blurry or lost vision in the center of what you see. Even if you don’t wear glasses, it’s a good idea to get your eyes checked every couple of years.

Adults should get an eye exam at least every two years. You may need to go more often if you have certain eye risks or issues. Visit AetnaMedicare.com/LG to search for an in-network vision provider. Don’t have an account yet? Head to AetnaMedicare.com/RG to register.

There are many infections that can spread through sexual contact. The most common in adults 65 and older are chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.* Many people don’t have symptoms, so you may not know if you have one.  

When to get it: If you are sexually active with one or more partners, talk to your provider about getting tested for certain infections.