8 easy health TESTS

Try these health checks to see how your well-being measures up – and how you can make improvements

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WAIST-TO-HIP RATIO CHECK

What it measures Your risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

How to do it To measure your waist, find the narrowest area between your tummy button and the bottom of your sternum (breastbone). To measure your hips, stand so you can see your side view in a mirror and measure the widest part. Then divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.

Results

Less than 0.75 = ideal 0.75-0.8 = low risk 0.81-0.85 = moderate risk Greater than 0.85 = high risk

Slimming boost Try to eat a balanced diet, avoiding processed foods, and build some squats and lunges into your daily workout.

CUSHION CHALLENGE

What it measures Artery health.

How to do it Lie on your back on a bed and elevate both (bare) legs to a 45-degree angle supported by cushions. Hold them there for one minute, then quickly hang your legs down over the side of the bed at 90 degrees.

Results This checks for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), where the arteries that supply the leg muscles become furred up and can cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. If one or both of your feet or legs become very pale when elevated and take several minutes to return to their normal colour, or turn a bright red when hanging, you could have blocked arteries and need to check with your doctor.