On Saturday, May 7th, the Paramus Health Department will be hosting a no-cost blood and health screening event for Paramus residents. There are 80 appointments available, and interested individuals must register by calling 201-291-6467.
Six services are being offered at this event, including a comprehensive metabolic panel, a hemoglobin A1c, a lipid panel, a prostate specific antigen test, a thyroid screening, and a blood pressure measurement. What exactly are these services, and what do they look for? Below is an explanation of each service being offered, and what it means for your health.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
This blood test evaluates all of the components of a Basic Metabolic Panel, which examines your metabolism and chemical balance. It specifically tests glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. The comprehensive metabolic panel also includes liver function tests, which provide information about your liver’s health, including whether it is inflamed, infected with a virus, or not performing its functions properly.
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C)
The hemoglobin A1c test monitors your health if you have an existing diabetes diagnosis, or it can be utilized to make an initial diabetes diagnosis. The test measures the average level of your blood sugar over the past three months.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel measures the fat molecules found in your blood, including triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Measuring these levels can help to understand your metabolism and fat utilization, which are associated with your risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA)
The prostate specific antigen test is the recommended method to screen for prostate cancer. A prostate specific antigen test can help identify the disease early on when treatment methods are more likely to be effective.
Thyroid Test
Thyroid tests check how well your thyroid gland works, and it is used to identify the cause of conditions including hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck which produces two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones control how you use energy, which affects nearly every one of your organs.
Blood Pressure Measurement
A blood pressure measurement is a test that measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps blood. Blood pressure is measured as two numbers:
1. Systolic blood pressure: (the first and highest number) measures pressure inside your arteries when the heart beats
2. Diastolic blood pressure: (the second and lowest number) measures the pressure inside the artery when the heart rests between beats
A blood pressure measurement helps diagnose high blood pressure early on, a condition which affects millions of Americans and increases the risk for heart attack and strokes.
With any blood screening, a 12 hour fast is recommended to ensure results are accurate.
The Paramus Health Department looks forward to hosting this event, and encourages you to schedule an appointment today!
Paramus Health Department 