Does your health put you at risk? Published March 4, 2014 By John Parker Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- As an event, there's little about the upcoming cardiac risk assessment for Department of Defense civilians that gives many excuses to miss it. That's because it's fast, easy and free. And there are big reasons to attend, such as catching heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes early and doing something about it. If that's not enough, there are prizes! (For those who do some online work before the event.) The Civilian Health Promotion Services is offering the assessment March 7 in Bldg. 460 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Screening will be in the 72nd Air Base Wing conference room. A tiny finger stick gives screeners enough blood to run a 10-minute analysis for total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and glucose. Those readings, plus a blood pressure and body mass index check, let screeners tell you where you're at on these important health numbers, said Dani Wetz, health promotion specialist. If the readings are off, you could be advised anything from changing your diet to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. Prizes will be given to participants who go to afmcwellness.com, fill out a health risk appraisal and bring a copy of it, along with their motivational user ID, to the assessment. Participants are urged to fast before the early-morning screenings for more accurate testing. Wetz advises not to eat anything after midnight. In the morning, you can drink water and one cup of black coffee, she said. Fasting isn't required, though. Screeners will use a different range scale for those who opt for breakfast. The testing is free for DOD civilians once a year. For more information, contact CHPS at 582-6817 or at CHPSTinker@psc.gov. Other screenings for March are: · March 4, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Bldg. 2280 Break Room · March 6, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bldg. 3907 Conference Room 203 · March 11, 8 to 10:30 a.m. in the 72nd Medical Group Nightingale Conference Room · March 13, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bldg. 201 SW Room 2 · March 18, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bldg. 2210 Breakroom · March 20, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bldg. 3001 DLA (2G-82) CHPS also holds screenings from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Bldg. 3001, Post O73. Anyone wanting a screening must have an up-to-date HRA from www.afmcwellness.com and bring in their certificate. Call CHPS at 582-6817 or email CHPStinker@psc.gov to have them come out to your area and do the screenings.