Hey friends 👋

Let's have a quick heart-to-heart: when was the last time you got a full health checkup? 😅

I used to think I didn't need it—I felt fine, I was "still young," and let's be honest, I didn't want to deal with needles or weird tests. But a few years ago, I had a minor scare (thankfully nothing serious), and it completely changed how I view my yearly checkup.

Today, I want to share 9 checkup tests that I never skip now. These aren't random tests—they cover real things that can catch problems early, before they turn into something big. 🙌

🩺 1. Blood pressure check

Sounds basic, but high blood pressure doesn't always have symptoms—and it quietly affects your heart and other organs. A quick arm cuff test can tell you a lot. I get mine checked every year, sometimes even at the pharmacy!

🩸 2. Blood sugar (glucose)

Even if you're not eating sweets every day, your blood sugar levels can change due to stress, sleep, or even genetics. I learned mine was borderline high—and that warning helped me adjust my lifestyle before it got worse.

🧪 3. Blood lipids (cholesterol)

HDL, LDL, triglycerides… yeah, those confusing numbers. But they matter. High cholesterol is linked to heart problems. I used to ignore this until I saw my LDL (the "bad" one) creeping up.

🧍 4. Body weight & BMI

I don't obsess over the scale, but I do check in yearly. This gives me a sense of how my lifestyle is affecting me overall—and if I need to tweak my eating or movement habits.

🧫 5. Liver function test

The liver quietly works hard behind the scenes. If you're on medications, drink soda regularly, or eat processed food often, it's good to check how your liver's doing.

💧 6. Kidney function test

Our kidneys filter waste and help manage blood pressure. I add this to my yearly panel just to be safe—especially since kidney issues often show no early signs.

❤️ 7. ECG (electrocardiogram)

I started getting this after a friend had unexpected heart rhythm issues. It's quick, painless, and helps detect irregular heartbeats or heart strain.

🦷 8. Dental checkup

Not just about clean teeth! Gum problems can be linked to bigger health issues. I now schedule a dentist visit once a year minimum, even if nothing hurts.

👁️ 9. Eye exam

Even if you have perfect vision, your eyes can show early signs of other problems—like diabetes or high blood pressure. I was surprised when my optometrist pointed out signs of tiredness just by looking into my eyes.

💬 Let's keep each other healthy

So… be honest—how many of these do you check every year? 😊

I totally get that life gets busy, but our bodies are always working for us behind the scenes. Getting these 9 areas checked once a year can give you peace of mind, or catch small issues before they become big ones.

Drop a 🩵 if you've done your checkup this year or if you're planning to! And tag someone you care about—this is the kind of self-care that really matters. 💪✨