14 Simple Ways to Turn Your Health Around

Every 5 Years

"Young women often think they don't need one, because they're not worried about heart disease," says Paula Johnson, MD, a cardiologist and chief of the division of women's health at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "But a gynecologist isn't likely to test your cholesterol, which is a must no matter what your age." An internist can also tell you if your levels are normal. (What's healthy depends on a number of factors, but across the board, HDL, the "good cholesterol," should be over 50 for women.) Once you know that your scores are within a healthy range, you should be good to go for the next five years.