Leading a healthy lifestyle can make you less likely to develop health problems as you age. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious balanced diet, getting regular exercise and avoiding smoking are all good habits. It is still important to be evaluated with your primary care provider at regular intervals. As you age, there are routine checks and tests that can help keep your health on track. Let’s review some of them based on your age:
18 and Older
You should have your blood pressure checked every year. Keeping your blood pressure controlled helps to prevent damage to your blood vessels, your kidneys, and your heart and can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
You should be screened for HIV at least once in your adult life and more frequently if you are at a higher risk of exposure.
35 to 50
In this age range, men should receive a lipid screening every 3-5 years. A lipid screening is a test to assess for elevated levels of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body that left untreated could cause heart disease.
Men who are in the overweight or obese BMI categories they should be screened for diabetes with a simple blood test.
45 and Older
Average risk males should begin screening for colon cancer at age 45. There are multiple non-invasive ways to screen for colon cancer along with the traditional colonoscopy procedure. If you have a family history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening and how frequently you will need screened. Depending on the type of test, it could be every 1, 3, 5 or 10 years.
Black males and men that have a family history of prostate cancer may benefit from beginning prostate cancer screening. This is accomplished with a blood test. This test should be performed every 2 years. For men without a family history they can begin testing at 50.
50 and Older
If you have a history of smoking for more than 20 years or have quit within the last 15 years you may benefit from screening for lung cancer with a low dose CT scan of the lungs. This screening can reduce the number of deaths from lung cancer.
65 to 75
Men who have a history of smoking have a higher risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm- a section of a major blood vessel in the abdomen that can balloon out and rupture, causing sudden death. Screening former smokers with a simple ultrasound test is an effective way to rule out this condition and reduce the number of deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Schedule time today with your health care provider to discuss what screening tests are appropriate for you based off of your personal and family health history.
Want to get a head start on your health? Call MHEDS at 814-453-6229 (Peach Street) or 814-616-7730 (John F. Kennedy Center).
Our health information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist the public in learning more about their health. MHEDS’ providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
