8 Useful Health Tests You Can Perform at Home

This test is known as the Shtange Test. You'll need a stopwatch to perform it. Stand up and measure your pulse for 30 seconds. Then, sit down and take 3 deep breaths without exhaling. Afterward, hold your breath for as long as you can and record the time. Once you exhale, check your pulse again for another 30 seconds.

Results:

• If you can hold your breath for less than 40 seconds, your respiratory system is not functioning well. The average result should be between 40-49 seconds. If you can hold your breath for more than 50 seconds, your respiratory health is in excellent condition.
• Calculate your heart rate using this formula:
  • The result will be your heart rate during the 30 seconds after the test and the 30 seconds before the test.
  • A result of 1, 2, or lower is acceptable. If you score higher, it may indicate that your cardiovascular system requires more oxygen.

Take a close look at your nails—they can reveal a lot about your health. If your nails are becoming ridged, layered, or showing white spots, it's not just a cosmetic issue. These signs could indicate that your body is lacking in vitamins B or iron, or that you may be at risk for osteoporosis.

Look at a window frame for 30 seconds, then close your eyes. Afterward, open your left eye, close it, and then open your right eye. If the image you see becomes blurry or the lines no longer appear parallel, it could be a sign of macular degeneration or severe, irreversible vision loss.

You can also perform another test near a parking lot. Step out of any car and stand about 20 meters away, trying to read the car’s license plate. If you can't read it, you should visit a doctor.

Try to hear what people are saying from a distance of 5-8 meters. If you can't understand anything, you should consult a doctor. However, this test won't be effective in crowded places. For example, in a café with loud music, you won’t be able to hear someone speaking next to you. This is due to the masking effect: weaker sounds are drowned out by louder ones. Besides this test, there are many apps available that can also assess your hearing.

Look into a mirror that allows you to see your full body. Do you notice any fat around your waist? This is visceral fat surrounding your liver, preventing it from functioning properly. Yellowing of the whites of your eyes, fatty lumps (especially on your eyelids), and a coated tongue are also indicators that something may be wrong with your liver.

Source: BRIGHTSIDE

One key health indicator is your waist size. Use a tape measure to check around your waist just above the navel. If your waist circumference is no more than 86 cm for women and 102 cm for men, your endocrine system is likely functioning well.

Those with larger waists are five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In Japan, the government even implemented a law in 2008 requiring individuals with large waistlines to attend special exercise sessions to reduce their weight.

You will need a blank sheet of paper, a marker or pencil, and the help of a friend. Draw a clock and ask someone to tell you the time (hour and minute). For example: 10:10 AM. Then, draw the minute and hour hands to match the time your friend indicated.

This test is closely linked to brain functions. The areas of the brain responsible for arm movement, spatial awareness, and vision become more active during this task. Therefore, being unable to draw the clock and clock hands could be an early sign of dementia.

You will need two scales. Stand on one scale with one foot and on the other with the other foot. The weight distribution should be the same on both scales. If the readings differ significantly, it could indicate that your hips, spine, and head are misaligned. It may be time to see a doctor for further tests.