8. Shortness of breath. This might be caused by a panic attack after you experience intense anxiety, or something more serious could be going on. You need to seek medical attention to determine if the cause is obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung), or another heart or lung problem.

In this era of the empowered patient, it is incumbent upon individuals to form an action plan. Prevention is key. Whether you do so individually or with other family members, it is important to know your family history and identify the genetic risks for certain conditions and diseases. If two generations of your family’s women died of breast cancer, yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 should be mandatory. If colon cancer is a worry, schedule a colonoscopy.

Check your body mass index and keep it to less than 25. Overweight and obese people are prone to a constellation of problems, including heart disease, high cholesterol, depression, strokes, diabetes, sleep apnea, gout and gallstones. With these factors in mind, losing weight and consuming a diet heavier on fruits and vegetables than red meat and fast food are wise choices to decrease the onset of a health problem that cannot be reversed.