By Charles E. Crutchfield II, MD, and Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

1. Get an annual physical examination. Make sure it is from a doctor you are familiar with and try to maintain continuity of care by scheduling an examination with the same doctor every year. The examination should include the standard blood tests for your age including evaluation of blood sugar and cholesterol. Your physical examination should also evaluate blood pressure and weight. Women, specifically, should schedule a Pap smear and mammogram. Men, specifically, should have an age appropriate prostate evaluation including a PSA examination.
   
2. Keep total cholesterol below 200. This can be achieved with diet, exercise, and/or, if necessary, prescription medications.
   
3. Keep blood pressure below 130/85. This can be done with diet, exercise, and/or, if necessary, prescription medications.
   
4. Keep blood sugar below 100. This can be done with diet, exercise, and/or, if necessary, prescription medications.
   
5. Keep weight less than 20% of average of your height. For most men, this means keeping weight under 200 pounds and for most women under 170 pounds.
   
6. Exercise at least 20 minutes per day, four to five times per week. The benefits of regular exercise are that it reduces cholesterol, improves arthritis, reduces gouts, prevents heart disease, helps diabetes, promotes circulation, and improves mental ability.
   
7. Do not drink or use drugs while driving, fishing, swimming, or boating.
   
8. Do not smoke. This is probably the worst health habit that leads to more preventable health problems than any other single item.
   
9. Do not keep guns accessible to those who will misuse them. This especially means loaded guns that would lead to the death of children, grandchildren, spouses, or relatives. If guns are kept in the house, keep them unloaded and ammunition in a separate place or keep them in a secure safe.
   
10. Wear seatbelts at all times in the car, no matter what speed you are going, and do not take them off until the car is at a dead stop.

About the authors:

Charles E. Crutchfield II, MD, is a graduate of University of Minnesota Medical School and has been a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist for 35 years in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He has been the president of numerous organizations, has served as assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and has one numerous lifetime achievement and community service awards.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, is a practicing dermatologist in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He is a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine and is an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He has an award-winning web site with lots of skin health information at www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com.