5 Health Screenings That Actually Reveal How Healthy You Are. Have You Had Them?
For decades, medicine has focused on fixing problems after they appear—treating symptoms rather than preventing them through advanced health screening. The result? Many of the most serious health issues, from heart disease to diabetes to osteoporosis, go undetected until they’ve already taken a toll.
That’s beginning to change. With advances in diagnostics, genetics, and wearable data, we can now identify risk years before symptoms show up. The future of healthcare is prevention—and it starts with understanding your own numbers, patterns, and body.
These five health screenings go far beyond the basic annual checkup. Each offers a deeper look at how your body is functioning—and can reveal early warning signs of disease long before traditional labs or imaging can. Which of them have you had?
1. VO₂ Max Test — The Longevity Predictor
What it is:
A real-time health screening measuring how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise. It reflects how well your heart, lungs, and muscles work together under physical stress and is considered the gold standard for evaluating cardiovascular fitness.
It’s also one of the strongest predictors of lifespan—and at Wholebody, we treat VO₂ max as a vital sign for long-term health, not just athletic performance.
What to expect:
You’ll walk or jog on a treadmill while wearing a soft breathing mask that measures oxygen uptake. The test lasts about 10–15 minutes, gradually increasing in intensity. It’s supervised by your clinician and typically ends with a personalized fitness report, including your “physiologic age.”
Why it matters:
A higher VO₂ max is associated with:
- Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
- Better metabolic function and insulin sensitivity
- Improved cognitive performance and brain blood flow
- Stronger immune and mitochondrial health
- Longer life expectancy
Did You Know?
Low cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to a greater mortality risk than many traditional risk factors — like smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure — yet VO₂ max is rarely included in a routine physical exam.1 VO₂ max is also seen as one of the strongest predictors of longevity, and improving it through regular aerobic and strength training can significantly enhance both your lifespan and healthspan.
2. Advanced Metabolic & Inflammatory Marker Labs — Your Internal Dashboard
What it is:
A comprehensive blood test measuring more than 60 key biomarkers across major systems: heart, thyroid, metabolism, hormones, inflammation, nutrients, and more. Unlike the limited panels typically ordered at an annual primary care visit, which focus mainly on basic cholesterol, glucose, and blood counts, advanced labs provide a deeper, system-level view of how your body is functioning and where early risks may be developing.
Key Panels and Why They Matter:
- Advanced Lipid Panel — Beyond Basic Cholesterol
Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, ApoB, and lipoprotein(a) to reveal how your body processes and transports fats.
→ Why it matters: ApoB and Lp(a) are stronger predictors of heart disease than traditional LDL, giving a clearer view of cardiovascular risk. - Thyroid Function — Your Metabolic Regulator
Evaluates TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies to assess hormone balance.
→ Why it matters: Even mild thyroid dysfunction can cause fatigue, weight changes, mood issues, and elevated cholesterol. Early detection prevents long-term metabolic slowdown. - Metabolic Function — How Efficiently You Burn Fuel
Includes fasting glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index).
→ Why it matters: Identifies pre-diabetes and insulin resistance—conditions that often go unnoticed for years before progressing to diabetes or heart disease. - Hormone Panel — Energy, Mood, and Longevity
Assesses key sex and adrenal hormones, including testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA, and cortisol.
→ Why it matters: Hormones influence everything from energy and sleep to mood, muscle tone, and body composition. Detecting imbalances helps optimize vitality and healthy aging. - Nutrient & Inflammation Markers — Your Internal “Wellness Check”
Measures vitamin D, B12, folate, ferritin, CRP (C-reactive protein), ESR, and other indicators of nutrient sufficiency and inflammation.
→ Why it matters: Chronic inflammation is a silent driver of disease, and nutrient deficiencies often underlie fatigue, low immunity, or brain fog. - Kidney & Liver Function — Your Body’s Filtration System
Includes creatinine, BUN, eGFR, AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase to evaluate organ performance.
→ Why it matters: Detects early signs of liver or kidney stress from medications, dehydration, or metabolic imbalance—often before symptoms appear. - Electrolytes & Acid-Base Balance — Cellular Stability
Tests sodium, potassium, chloride, CO₂, calcium, and magnesium to monitor fluid and pH balance.
→ Why it matters: Even minor imbalances can affect muscle function, heart rhythm, and recovery—especially for active adults. - Blood Health — Oxygen and Immunity
Analyzes complete blood count (CBC), including red and white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
→ Why it matters: Screens for anemia, infection, and immune or bone marrow changes that may signal early disease. - ApoE Genotyping — Personalized Heart and Brain Insight
Genetic marker influencing cholesterol metabolism and associated with Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular risk.
→ Why it matters: Knowing your ApoE status helps tailor nutrition and lifestyle strategies for long-term brain and heart health.
What to expect:
A standard blood draw usually takes just a few minutes. A clinician or phlebotomist will collect a small sample from your arm, typically after a brief fast, depending on the type of test. Results are then typically reviewed with your healthcare provider, who can explain what each value means for you.
Why it matters:
This advanced health screening uncovers silent risks like pre-diabetes, thyroid imbalance, and chronic inflammation years before standard panels would.
Did You Know?
Over one in three U.S. adults has pre-diabetes—and most don’t know it. Early detection through an advanced blood test that looks at metabolic biomarkers can reverse the condition before it progresses to diabetes.2
3. DEXA Scan — See What’s Happening Inside Your Body
What it is:
A quick, low-dose X-ray that maps your body composition—bone density, lean muscle, and visceral fat (the type that drives inflammation and disease). DEXA scans (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) are considered the gold standard health screening to assess both bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle-to-fat ratio—two of the most important predictors of strength, mobility, and healthy aging.
What to expect:
You’ll lie comfortably on a padded table while the scanner passes overhead for about 10 minutes. It’s painless, and radiation exposure is lower than what you’d receive on a commercial flight.
Why it matters:
Your bones and muscles are foundational to how you move, feel, and function—especially as you age. A DEXA scan can help identify:
- Low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis), which increases fracture risk
- Muscle loss (sarcopenia), which can affect energy, strength, and balance
- Visceral fat, which is closely linked to metabolic and cardiovascular risk
These insights help detect early changes in bone and muscle health—long before symptoms appear—and guide personalized strategies for prevention and improvement.
Did You Know?
One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. DEXA scans can detect bone loss years before a break occurs.3 Once detected, bone loss can often be slowed, prevented, or even reversed through a combination of resistance training, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and early medical intervention when needed.
4. Genetic Risk Panel — Your Personalized Prevention Blueprint
What it is:
A saliva-based DNA health screening (powered by Invitae®) that goes far beyond consumer kits to screen for genetic variants linked to heart disease, cancer, and other inherited risks.
What to expect:
You’ll provide a quick saliva sample, either in a clinic or through an at-home collection kit. The process is simple and noninvasive—no needles required. Results are usually available within a few weeks and are reviewed with your healthcare provider, who can explain what they mean for your overall health and family history.
Why it matters:
Your genes help determine how your body functions—from how it repairs damage to how it processes medications. Genetic testing allows us to:
- Identify inherited risks before symptoms appear
- Diagnose or clarify unexplained conditions
- Tailor screening, prevention, and treatment based on your unique biology
- Guide reproductive decisions or inform family members about shared risk
Your genes don’t define your fate—they guide smarter prevention. Insights from this test help tailor your long-term care plan.
Did You Know?
About 10% of all cancers and up to 15% of heart disease have a significant hereditary component. Genetic testing can identify these risks decades before disease develops.4 Understanding your genetic profile empowers you to make informed lifestyle, screening, and prevention choices—and to protect your family by making them aware of potential inherited risks so they can take proactive steps, too.
5. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score — The 5-Minute Heart Risk Test
What it is:
A fast CT scan that measures calcium buildup in your heart’s arteries—a sign of early plaque formation and cardiovascular risk. This low-radiation health screening produces a calcium score, offering a powerful tool to assess your risk of heart disease and future cardiac events.
It’s especially valuable for people with risk factors like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease—but no symptoms.
What to expect:
You’ll lie on a CT table, hold your breath for a few seconds, and the scan will be done. No IVs, no contrast dye, no pain.
Why it matters:
Even with “normal” cholesterol, plaque can silently build for years. Your CAC score reveals your true heart risk—before symptoms start—helping you get ahead of heart attacks, angina (chest pain), coronary artery disease (CAD), and other cardiovascular events.
Did You Know?
Nearly 50% of heart attacks occur in people with “normal” cholesterol levels. The CAC score can reveal hidden plaque long before standard labs can.5 By detecting early calcification, you can take action sooner—through targeted lifestyle changes or medical intervention—to prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of cardiac events.
Other Health Screenings to Consider
No two people share the same risk profile. Depending on your genetics, lifestyle, and personal goals, additional testing can provide deeper insight and reassurance.
- Heart & Vascular Health: Echocardiogram, Cleerly CCTA, or carotid ultrasound can help visualize blood flow, plaque buildup, and cardiovascular function.
- Cancer & Genetic Screening: Multi-cancer early detection blood tests and expanded genetic panels can identify risk decades before disease develops.
- Musculoskeletal & Mobility: Motion analysis and grip strength testing can reveal asymmetries, muscle imbalances, or declining function that increase injury risk.
- Sleep & Cognitive Health: Sleep apnea and cognitive assessments can uncover root causes of fatigue, memory changes, and mood issues.
- Hormone & Metabolic Optimization: Advanced hormone panels can help fine-tune energy, metabolism, and body composition as you age.
These tests aren’t for everyone—but knowing which apply to you is the foundation of personalized prevention.
Great. How Do I Get These Health Screenings?
You could try to piece these tests together on your own—ordering labs through your primary care provider, scheduling a DEXA scan at an imaging center, finding a VO₂ test at a performance clinic, and sending off a separate genetic sample. It’s possible, but it takes time, coordination, and multiple appointments.
Or, you can take a more streamlined approach.
Comprehensive preventive programs—like Wholebody—bring these advanced diagnostics together in a single, physician-led visit. Instead of tracking down results from different places, you get a unified report that connects the dots between your data, your risks, and your next steps.
Whichever path you choose, the goal is the same: to move from reactive care to proactive prevention—and to start building a clearer picture of your long-term health.
The Bottom Line
The era of prevention is here. For the first time, everyday people have access to advanced health screenings that were once reserved for elite athletes or research labs. Whether you pursue these tests through your physician, a wellness program, or a specialty clinic, the key is to start asking deeper questions about your body—before symptoms appear.
Knowing what’s happening inside isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better, now and in the years to come.
Ready to take the next step?
Wholebody was built as a starting point—a place where people can see how powerful prevention can be. Visit commonsclinic.com/wholebody to learn more. Or, talk with a Wholebody team member to see if it’s the right fit for you.
References
- American Heart Association. (2023, June 14). Cardiorespiratory fitness and its role in reducing risk of disease and death. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/06/14/cardiorespiratory-fitness-may-reduce-risk-of-disease-and-death
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 18). Prediabetes – Your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
- Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (2022). Cholesterol and coronary artery calcium for risk assessment in primary prevention. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 80(14), 1336–1349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.023
- National Osteoporosis Foundation. (2024). Osteoporosis fast facts. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/fast-facts/
- National Institutes of Health. (2024, February 12). Genetic testing for hereditary heart disease and cancer risk. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Genetics. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/whatisgenetictesting/
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