Besides Father's Day, last week was also National Men's Health Week. As we celebrate the men in our lives, this also serves as the perfect opportunity to open up the dialogue on the state of men's health, which is in definite need of improvement.

When it comes to discussions of American men's health, the conversation always seems to slant in one direction: sex. If you leaf though most men's magazines or see the latest TV commercials targeting men, you would get the impression that many, if not most American men suffer from some type of sexual dysfunction - and that this is the most serious health issue men face.

Heart disease I'm afraid, is the No. 1 killer of American men, followed by cancer, respiratory conditions, accidents and diabetes. Women still outlive men by five to 10 years.

So if you want your guy to be around for the long haul, give him this review of the five essential health tests that could save his life, which I have adapted from the July/August issue of Men's Health magazine:

Cardiac CT angiography

Do you need it? If you are at high risk for heart disease, this might be a prudent thing to do.

Cost: $350 to $900. Check with your insurance company, because you may receive reimbursement if you have had chest pain or an abnormal stress test.

Bone density scan

Are you at risk? If you're a smoker, inactive or have a family history of the disease, you're at risk.

Cost: $250 to $300. Have your doctor request the test, and call your health insurance company, too.

VO2 Max Test

The VO2 Max Test is the master cardiovascular test that will let you know what you're made of. It's the most accurate measure of your cardiovascular and overall health.

Do you need it? It's a good idea, if your health's a priority.

Cost: $110 to $160 but your insurance is not likely to cover it. But, hey, ask anyway - nothing beats a try but a failure. Call your local physical therapy, rehab or cardiopulmonary center to schedule this test.

Colonoscopy

Among the obvious advantages, virtual colonoscopy is less invasive, quicker and virtually pain-free. The down side is that this procedure is new, not widely available, and may produce inconclusive results, which would require a second, optical procedure.

Do you need it?

If you are over 50, consult with your doctor to make an appointment for this procedure. You're also a candidate if you have a family history of colon cancer, take blood thinners, are overweight, inactive, drink or smoke heavily, or have inflammatory bowel disease.

Cost: $500 to $1,000. Many health-care providers are on board with this test.

Nutritional evaluation

Do you need it?

If you need to trim down, make an appointment - yesterday.

Cost: $40 or more per session. You may get your insurance company to reimburse you if you have a condition like diabetes, which can be improved with dietary changes. *

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com). E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo!