People are more liable to health issues and diseases as they get older, but by getting routine health checks, most problems can be spotted in the early stages when there’s less risk involved.
A health checkup includes a series of tests to determine if you’re on the right health track. Not only do health checkups increase your lifespan by improving health, but they can also significantly reduce disease risk.
Here are a few health tests that you should never miss or delay.
Physical Exam
Doctors often recommend people come in for a physical every six months or at least once a year. Depending on your age, overall health, and risk factors regarding certain diseases, your doctor might also suggest you get yourself checked once a month.
A physical exam typically includes the doctor asking questions about your lifestyle and health. They will also get your weight, vital signs, heartbeat, etc. If they notice potential issues with your health, they might recommend you to another practitioner like an ED Doctor.Â
Blood Pressure Test
Blood pressure refers to the force that your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries. The normal blood pressure of a person should be less than 120/80 mmHg. A person over the age of 18 should get their blood pressure checked at least every two years.
Blood pressure higher than 130/80 mmHg is called high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure increases your chances of heart disease and stroke. If it’s too high, a doctor will recommend you get your blood pressure tested more often.
Cholesterol Test
High levels of cholesterol are an increasingly common issue of health in people these days, especially due to our unhealthy eating habits and overconsumption of fast food.
High cholesterol is also the main risk factor behind numerous health and heart diseases. A doctor will recommend you get your cholesterol checked more often if you:
- Are obese or overweight
- Have diabetes
- Have a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol
- Have a personal history of high cholesterol
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer occurs due to abnormal growth in the colon or rectum of a person. A colorectal cancer screening test helps detect this dangerous growth so that medical professionals can conduct a colonoscopy test and begin treatment before it becomes a tumor.
While the average person doesn’t need to get this test before their 40s, some experts suggest that African American adults and people with a history of cancer in their family should start testing earlier.
Skin Check
In most cases, you don’t need to go to a medical professional for a skin check. All you need to do is check for changes in moles, freckles, or other marks on your skin at least once a month.
Skin cancers are almost always curable when found and treated early. It’s especially important to check your skin if you or someone in your family has had skin-related diseases before.
Vaccinations
Although a regular adult can recover from the flu or pneumonia without any major or ongoing problems, the same can’t be said for older patients. Developing these diseases in later life could cause serious health complications or even be fatal.
If you’re over 50, the best solution is to get vaccinations for each disease. For the flu, you might need to get a jab every year as the flu virus constantly changes.
