The two blood pressure numbers indicate how much pressure builds up in the arteries as the heart beats and between beats.

You say you feel great, but what do you really know about your health? To find out, get the screening tests you need.

Many health care providers today say they order more diagnostic tests than are necessary, primarily to protect themselves against possible malpractice suits. This is called "defensive medicine."

In adults, a screening blood sugar test is generally used to determine if your blood sugar is too high. For adults, having an elevated blood sugar usually will not give you symptoms and may indicate a pending or current problem with type 2 diabetes.

Home tests can reduce doctor visits and medical costs, but you need to ask: Are they right for you?

You may think your child's first test will come in school, but it will actually happen before leaving the hospital's newborn unit. Early screening tests for babies can find problems before symptoms arise, prompting early treatment.

Many experts urge hearing tests before newborns leave the hospital. Every year, about 12,000 American babies are born with hearing problems.

Doctors order most unnecessary tests during regular physicals on generally healthy people and during wellness exams.