8 VITAL AT-HOME TESTS

These simple health checks can reveal where you might need to make some lifestyle tweaks

HOW would you rate your overall health? Even if you feel reasonably healthy, doing regular health checks at home is a good idea because picking up issues early means you can do something about them before they become a real problem.

A quick home health check could even be a potential lifesaver as it could alert you to something you should discuss with your doctor.

Here are some easy tests you should to take today.

1 THE CUSHION TEST

What it measures Artery health. This test checks for peripheral arterial disease, where the arteries that supply the leg muscles become furred up and can cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

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

Results If your legs retain their normal colour while elevated, that's good news. 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 become bright red when hanging, you might have blocked arteries and need to see your doctor.

Artery boost Be active for at least 30 minutes a day. Include avocado, broccoli, chia seeds and oily fish in your diet, and drink green tea.

2 THE QUICK EYE INSPECTION

Age-related macular degeneration can cause you to lose central vision.

How to do it Cover one eye, then the other, while looking at a door frame. If there are gaps or kinks when it should be straight, see a GP or optometrist as soon as possible.

3 THE RESTING HEART RATE TRICK

What it measures Physical fitness