Our risk of developing various health problems increases as we get older. Fortunately, it’s possible to treat/correct many of these health problems if they are detected early.
There are many health checks that you can invest in to detect these health problems. Below are just some of the health checks that are worth scheduling as you get older.
Blood pressure
High blood pressure can increase your risk of strokes, heart attacks and aneurysms later in life. These conditions can be fatal in some cases. Fortunately, there are many lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your blood pressure – providing that you have a diagnosis.
A lot of people do not realise that they have high blood pressure because it does not really display any symptoms. Scheduling regular blood pressure tests with your doctor is your best means of diagnosing high blood pressure – this involves placing a cuff around your upper arm which reads your blood pressure.
AAA
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are very deadly – patients that suffer an AAA typically only have a 20% survival rate. There are no symptoms to provide a warning that you are about to experience an AAA. However, you can book a test that can determine whether you are at risk – allowing you to take health precautions.
An AAA screening involves taking an ultrasound of your stomach. If you are over 60, it is worth scheduling one of these screenings.
Cancer
Many cancers go undetected for a while until they become serious. By carrying out health checks, it’s possible to detect certain cancers early.
Types of screenings that can help to detect cancers include:
- Breast screenings
- Bowel cancer screenings
- Cervical screenings
Consider looking into these screenings if you are over 50 and have not already had them.
Eyesight
Our eyesight naturally fades as we get older. This can make everyday tasks like driving potentially dangerous if you do not correct your vision with glasses or contact lenses.
Regular eye tests can help to determine whether your eyesight has got worse and can help you to find the right eyewear prescription. Eye tests may also be able to check for other eye conditions such as cataracts.
Hearing
Our hearing can also fade as we get older. Not being able to hear properly can make conversations harder and can make us less alert to dangers.
An annual hearing evaluation is recommended as you get older to check your hearing levels. If you are experiencing hearing loss, you can then be prescribed a hearing aid to correct this. An audiologist can carry out this test and help you find the best hearing aid.
Dental health
It’s also important to keep seeing a dentist as you get older. Gum disease and tooth decay are more common in older age and could affect everything from eating to speech.
Plan to see a dentist twice per year for a checkup. Many dentists will be able to send you reminder emails or texts to let you know when you are due another appointment.
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