We often take better care of our cars than we do ourselves. We spend a great deal of time and money on regular maintenance and repairs to make sure our vehicles are in top running condition so they don’t break down in the middle of rush hour traffic or the middle of nowhere, miles from the nearest mechanic.
A car is a big investment, and we want to make sure it has a long life. If only we thought about our health the same way.
A regular checkup by a health care professional can help make sure you don’t have a health breakdown – a heart attack, a stroke, diabetes or other major medical problem that could prevent you from living a long and healthy life.
No matter how old you are, it’s never too late get the health screenings you need. The first step is to visit your health care provider to discuss the tests that are right for you based on your age, gender and family health history.
Health screenings recommended for both men and women include:
Obesity: Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity or figure it yourself by using a calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm.
High cholesterol: Get your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35 for men and 45 for women. You may need to be screened at an earlier age if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease or you smoke.
High blood pressure: You should have your blood pressure checked at least every year.
Colorectal cancer: Have a screening for colorectal cancer at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is best for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be tested at an earlier age.
Diabetes: A fasting blood sugar or glucose tolerance test is recommended every three years starting at age 45. An annual screening is recommended if you have one or more risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, overweight or obese, or a family history of diabetes.
Depression: Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt “down” or hopeless for more than two weeks and have experienced little interest or pleasure in doing things your normally enjoy, talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.
Additional screenings recommended for men include:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever smoked 100 or more cigarettes during your lifetime, you should be screened once for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your abdomen.
Prostate cancer: There is insufficient data to recommend for or against prostate cancer testing. The American Cancer Society recommends that a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam be offered to men who have an average risk at age 50 and to men at high risk (African Americans and those with a strong family history) at age 45. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
Additional screenings recommended for women include:
Breast cancer: You should have a mammogram every one to two years starting at age 40.
Cervical cancer: Have a Pap smear every one to three years if you are between the ages of 21 and 65 and have ever been sexually active.
Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones): A bone density test beginning at age 65 to screen for osteoporosis is recommended. If you are between the ages of 60 and 64 and weigh 154 pounds or less, talk to you doctor about being tested.
A number of these screenings can be done during one visit to your health care provider. Your doctor can also help determine the right time for any other tests you might need.
Invest a little time in your health to keep yourself in good running condition so you can live a longer, healthier life.