The 13 areas: prevention review checklist

“I use thirteen areas to organize a prevention conversation. They are not thirteen targets that everyone must measure or drive downward.”

0 of 13 areas reviewed with my clinician.

1. 1. Blood pressure: often below 130/80 mm Hg when treatment is indicated, with attention to dizziness, frailty, and measurement technique.
2. 2. LDL cholesterol and, selectively, ApoB: targets depend on established disease and overall risk.
3. 3. Lp(a): generally once in adulthood, to identify inherited cardiovascular risk.
4. 4. Glucose regulation: HbA1c, fasting glucose, or a glucose tolerance test as appropriate. A lower result is not always better, especially during glucose-lowering treatment.
5. 5. Triglycerides and HDL: useful context within the full lipid profile. Their ratio is not a standardized diagnostic test for insulin resistance.
6. 6. Waist size: interpreted with body build and ethnic background, alongside other risks.
7. 7. Kidney function: eGFR and urine albumin when indicated, particularly in diabetes or kidney disease.
8. 8. Liver health: routine tests and fibrosis assessment when metabolic or other risks justify them.
9. 9. Fitness: a walk test, an exercise history, or a more formal assessment suited to your ability.
10. 10. Strength and balance: measured safely, with attention to changes over time.
11. 11. Bone and fracture risk: history first; bone-density testing at the appropriate age or risk level.
12. 12. Screening and vaccination status: the interventions appropriate to your age, health, and preferences.
13. 13. Medication and supplement review: benefits, adverse effects, interactions, cost, and what can be simplified.

Fasting insulin and hs-CRP are not compulsory additions. I may consider selected markers when a specific unresolved question makes them useful. Routine insulin testing is not recommended by the ADA/AACC guideline, and there is no universal insulin or HOMA-IR treatment target.

Saved automatically, only in this browser. A checklist for a conversation with your clinician, not a set of targets.