The 5 Most Important Health Tests That Are Cheap and Easy
These are the top 5 health screening tests that'll tell you something is wrong long before it's too late to act.
The goal is to prevent disease long before we need to screen for them. If you’re actively engaged in preventing a disease, screening is of lesser importance. That’s a good thing.
UPDATED: October 27th, 2025
Welcome to the Healthy Aging Newsletter, a free publication translating trustworthy medical research into simple habits to age well, free of chronic disease. I’m Dr. Ashori, a family medicine doctor turned health coach.
Patient: Doctor, I’d like to get my cholesterol checked.
Doctor: What made you want to get it checked today?
Patient: I’m trying to prevent heart disease.
Doctor: Are you planning to make any changes based on the results?
Patient: If my numbers are high, I’ll start eating better and exercising more.
Conversations like this are common in my practice. Many of us wait for a warning sign, like a high cholesterol number, before making changes. But health only works when prevention starts early and consistently.
5 Important Health Screening Tests to Do
These are not expensive tests. Even without health insurance, you can get these 5 important health screening tests done for under $50 at most labs.
1) Blood Pressure - Cardiovascular Health Status
Depending on your overall risk, there is an ideal blood pressure number to aim for. And there are lots of ways you can get it down naturally. Unfortunately, despite what medical guidelines claim, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to blood pressure.
High risk for kidney, heart, or cerebrovascular disease means that you should aim for a lower number.
Where to get it done: I recommend purchasing an OMRON home blood pressure device. Follow the proper protocols to measure your BP. It’s easy but it’s important to do it right.
If elevated:
Start isometric exercises for hypertension.
Get more potassium-rich foods.
Cut back on alcohol.
Cut back on simple carbs.
Walk daily.
2) CRP - Inflammation Status
CRP tests for inflammation in the body that may be associated with higher cancer or endocrine problems in the future. It may be listed as hs-CRP. There are other inflammation markers you can get if the CRP is negative but we still highly suspect inflammation.
Where to get it done: hs-CRP costs $11 from Rupa Health. No insurance is ever needed with Rupa, which is why they are the main lab I use for my patients.
If elevated:
Meet with a physician to screen for potential causes.
Improve stress levels.
Get enough movement daily.
Cut back on alcohol and sugars.
3) Fasting Glucose & Insulin - Metabolic Health
Fasting insulin + glucose are the earliest sign of metabolic issues like diabetes or prediabetes. It’s high in most of the patients who come to me for the first time. It’s also relatively easy to correct.
Other similar tests: There are other markers like A1C or fructosamine or 2-hour postprandial glucose, but I prefer fasting glucose and insulin to calculate the HOMA-IR score using this calculator.
Where to get it done: For $15 you can get this fasting insulin + glucose done to calculate your HOMA-IR from Rupa Health. They will give your score, so no calculation is needed.
If elevated:
Swap simple carbs for complex carbs.
Avoid too much saturated fats.
Get a healthy activity level started.
Improve your sleep and stress levels.
4) ApoB - Heart Disease & Stroke Risk
Apo B and Lp(a) blood test are the best predictors of heart disease. ApoB tracks total atherogenic particle amount even better than LDL-C. If your doctor is still ordering the same old cholesterol panel, it’s time to request your own tests.
Where to get it done: For just $18 you can get this apoB test done at Rupa Health, which is where I send most of my patient for high-quality, affordable tests.
If your results are borderline or high:
Come up with a good nutrition plan for weight loss.
Experiment with lower saturated fat intake.
Assess your overall risk for heart disease to see if you may benefit from medical interventions.
5) Waist-to-height ratio - Visceral Fat Marker
The waist-to-height ratio is easy to do at home and will tell you if you have any excess visceral fat. While the DEXA scan or an MRI may be more accurate, this is easier and if the ratio is < 0.5, you’re in a good place.
Where to get it done: In the comfort of your beautiful home! All you need is a tape measure. To get your Waist-to-Height ratio measure around your waist at the level of the belly button and divide by your height. Use this WtHR calculator.
If your results are borderline:
Get a DEXA scan.
Start a healthy aerobic training program.
Lift weights 2x per week.
Shift towards more complex carbs than simple carbs.
Healthy Aging = Preventing Disease
Most of us have the right intention when we go in for our annual physical. The problem with our current physical exams and tests is that they are trying to catch a falling vase. We should be preventing disease, not just trying to catch it early.
If you want to take that journey together, book a 1:1 session for personalized coaching.
What’s Your ‘Game Changer’ Action?
There is nothing wrong with a blood test or screening for high blood pressure. But that puts the emphasis on what must happen outside of you.
What can you do today that will significantly impact your overall health and help you age healthy? How can you prevent hypertension, high cholesterol, deconditioning, dementia?
4 Actionable Steps That Have Better Results Than A Blood Test:
Pick one activity, walking to the office, doing house chores, or some exercises with exercise bands. Do them daily, consistently.
Make your meals one degree healthier. A little more beans, grains, and fruits.
Focus your energy on your breathing, relax your muscles, and relinquish some control.
Begin your sleep routine a few minutes earlier.
The information in this podcast is for general education. It is not medical advice. Listening does not create a patient–doctor relationship with me. I care about each listener and want you to receive care that fits your life and medical needs. Always speak with your own licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any health plan, medication, or routine.
Fantastic health advise, thank you Dr Ashori!