Health exams you can perform in your home

There are many ways you can evaluate your health at home. Click any of the links below to learn more about each one.

Create a Family Health Portrait to Share With Your Doctor

Knowing your family history can help identify health risks. An online service called "My Family Health Portrait," developed by the U.S. Surgeon General's office, helps you collect information about your family's health history before visiting your doctor. Then print it out and bring it on your next doctor's visit. The site is easy to read and is available in English and Spanish. Click here.

Risk of heart attack

The Framingham Risk Assessment can help evaluate your risk of heart attack over a 10-year period. Complete the questions, print out your form and bring it on your next visit.

Risk of bone fracture

The FRAX assessment is used to indicate whether you may be at risk for bone fracture. The assessment tool may help you avoid the pain and inconvenience of a broken bone. Go to the site, click the tab for "Calculation Tool," then select your ethnicity from the drop-down menu and complete the form. Print it and bring it on your next doctor's visit.

Depression

Almost one in six adults is affected by depression at some time during their lives but only 25 percent of them are adequately treated.

Many are embarrassed to ask for help when they feel they may be depressed. In addition to making you feel sad, depression can strain your immune system and is associated with various illnesses. Depression can also be made worse by chronic illness, such as diabetes.

If you feel you may be suffering from depression, try taking this simple quiz. You can even print it out and bring it with you on your next doctor's appointment.