7 health tests all people in their 20s need to get

1. Blood pressure test

blood pressure checked at least once every two years

2. Cholesterol test

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL is the "bad" kind that contributes to fatty build-ups in the arteries, and HDL is the "good kind" that helps remove excess cholesterol from the arteries. (Segal offered a handy mnemonic device for remembering which is which: LDL is lousy; HDL is happy.)

If you have too much LDL or too little HDL circulating in your blood, cholesterol can combine with other substances and form thick plaques on the inside of your arteries, narrowing and stiffening them, and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the AHA.

3. HIV test

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the infection that can lead to AIDS if left untreated. In the US, more than 1.1 million people are living with HIV, but there's a chance they aren't aware of their status.

"One in seven people with HIV don't know they have it, so they're not getting treatment and they may be passing HIV to others without knowing," Segal said. "So it's really important to get that test in your 20s, especially if you're not practicing safe sex."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone get an HIV test at least once between ages 13 and 64. People who have unprotected sex or who share injection drug equipment should get tested at least once yearly.

You can use the CDC's Get Tested tool to search for free HIV testing locations near you.

4. Skin cancer check

Skin cancer doesn't just happen to older folks who have spent years sunbathing. Melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is the second-most common cancer among women ages 15 through 29, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

Skin cancer symptoms can vary pretty dramatically. The disease may manifest as a changing mole, a sore that won't heal, or even an unassuming flesh-colored bump, as INSIDER previously reported. It can occur in unlikely places, too, like underneath your nails, or in spots that get no sun exposure at all.

But people with certain risk factors, like a family history of skin cancer, long-term sun exposure, tanning bed use, and light skin tone are at a higher risk for the disease and may need a skin check from a dermatologist, Segal said.

People with a personal history of melanoma should always have annual full-body skin checks performed by a dermatologist, the AAD says. For anyone else, a dermatologist can make a personalized recommendation for how often you need a skin exam.

5. The A1C test for type 2 diabetes

The American Diabetes Association's recommendations say all people should be screened for type 2 diabetes starting at age 45, but they add that testing should be considered in adults of any age — even younger ones — if they're overweight or obese and have at least one risk factor for the disease. These risk factors include high blood pressure, polycystic ovarian syndrome in women, having a first-degree relative with diabetes, physical inactivity, and more. As always, a doctor can help you determine when testing is right for you.

6. Pap smear

The Pap smear looks for abnormal changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), meaning any potential problems can be caught early.

those recommendations changedstudies found

The ACOG currently recommends that healthy patients aged 21 to 29 get a Pap smear every three years. Anyone who's

7. Gonorrhea and chlamydia tests

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are both caused by bacteria. (They also happen to be on the rise in the US.)

And, since many people who get these STDs don't have any symptoms, testing is the only way to know for sure if you're infected. Testing can be as easy as peeing in a cup — but sometimes a healthcare provider will test for the infections by rubbing genitals with a cotton swab to collect cells.

The CDC recommends that all sexually active women younger than 25 get annual screening tests for both chlamydia and gonorrhea. Women older than 25 with certain risk factors (like new or multiple sex partners) should also get yearly tests for the two infections. And, no matter their age, all sexually active men who have sex with men should get yearly tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea (as well as syphilis), the CDC says.

If you're unsure exactly which STD tests you should get, ask a doctor. The CDC also has a short quiz that can help you determine which tests you may need.