Health tests

Sit and Reach Test

The sit and reach test helps to get a gauge for your arterial stiffness. Simply sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you and try to grab your toes. If you’re over 40 years old and can’t reach them, it could be a sign that your arteries are stiff, which is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

You can fix this problem by stretching every day to work on your flexibility to help make your arteries more elastic.

Watch: Dr. Oz Demonstrates the Sit-and-Reach Test

Inspect the Palm of Your Hand

An easy way to see if you could have anemia is to observe the palm of your hand. Look at the colors of the lines on your palm and determine if they’re darker than or the same color as the skin around them. If the lines are darker, you’re fine; however if they’re the same color, it could mean you have severe anemia. If this is the case, you should check with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Watch: How to Learn About Your Health By Looking at Your Hand

Press Test

If your have swollen legs, pushing your thumb at the bottom of your legs could help you find out if it might be due to a problem in your veins, liver, or kidney. Just push your thumb in for two to three seconds and look for any changes in your skin. If you see a dent where your thumb was, it could be a “pitting edema.” Check with your doctor to see if it’s a vein, liver, or kidney issue, as swollen legs are often a result of standing or being on your feet for too long. Your doctor might recommend wearing compression stockings or propping your feet up to alleviate the swelling. 

Tap Test

Figure out if your sinus pain is due to a cold, allergies, or an infection by tapping your sinus cavities. If this hurts, you could have an infection. Place a hot compress on the sinus area and start a saline irrigation to find relief. If the symptoms last for more than two weeks, see a doctor.

Watch: How to Do the Tap Test

String Test

Find out if you're at a healthy weight with a quick string test that determines your waist-height ratio. Simply cut a piece of string to your height and fold it in half. Then, wrap it around your waist. Does it fit comfortably? If it doesn't, keep the string as a reminder of your health goals. 

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