Okay guys, this one’s a no-brainer. It requires some persistence and, at times, creative scheduling. But it could mean the difference between life or death. If you really want to take control of your health, get regular check-ups and health screenings.

Annual check-ups and screenings can catch potential health issues before they become problems. They keep you running in top condition and help you live your healthiest life.

I make time for annual physicals, skin checks, dental exams — the works. That way, if anything starts to go wrong, I’ll be sure to catch it early.

Edward-Elmhurst Health makes it even easier to track your health with their Health Aware tests.

Health Aware tests are free, online forms that take minutes to complete. At the end, the test will let you know whether you may need follow-up treatment.

Screenings are an easy way to keep your health in check. They’re also a personal matter for me. My grandmother had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that left her wheelchair bound and breathing with an oxygen tank. She probably had COPD developing in her lungs for quite a while before anyone knew it.

My grandma passed away in 2001 at age 61. She was WAY too young.

Me and Grandma Barb. Photo credit: Bev Patrick

I worked with the COPD Foundation a few years ago to help raise awareness. If that disease is caught early, you can slow the progression and manage the symptoms.

The same is true for the diseases and disorders you can check for with Health Aware. There’s a Health Aware test that can alert you to signs of lung problems. There are tests for anxiety, breast cancer, addiction, stroke — even sleep disorders. You can learn your risk for different health problems in about five minutes.

Health screenings can save your life. It’s just that simple.

Sometimes that saying “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” is true. But when it comes to your health, if you ignore the signs and symptoms of a problem, things can get bad fast. If you’re going to make time to work out and eat healthy, why wouldn’t you make time to ensure you don’t have heart disease or something else?

Be Health Aware and get screenings and check-ups. Your body and the people who love you will thank you.

Be Healthy Driven — take a 5-minute test that could save your life.