Health Checks We Should All Do As We Get Older

Getting older is a fact of life. It’s not something we can fight, nor is it something we should seek to change! But as we get older, it’s best to look out for your health in new or more focused ways. After all, our bodies can slow down a little as the years go by, and while that’s no bad thing, it can be an issue if you’re not sure what’s going on inside. So let’s go through a few health checks we should all do, at least every 5 years, to ensure we’re feeling as well as possible for the long term. 

Watch Your Blood Pressure

Both high and low blood pressure readings are very common problems. And while these kinds of readings can happen every now and then, if they’re constantly popping up as high or low, make sure you see a doctor about it. It could be a sign of a chronic condition, such as heart disease, POTS, or even a stroke in the near future. The more you know now, the better you can handle the symptoms. 

Get Your Cholesterol Tested

Your cholesterol can be a tricky set of numbers to read. After all, there are two readings taken each time, one showcasing the good cholesterol in your blood, and the other the bad. If the former is high, that’s fine! But if the latter is, it could be an ongoing issue that could spell trouble in the coming months. If this is the case, your blood vessels can get ‘clogged up’, and that makes it a lot harder for the heart to work. 

Go for a Screening

Screenings for heart disease, kidney disorders, and various kinds of cancers like a bowel cancer screening, should happen at all ages. But as you get older, screenings like these need to happen more frequently. These kinds of issues are more likely to happen as we get older, when our bodies already have half a lifetime of living to deal with. And if you catch them early on, they won’t turn into a bigger problem. We know it’s scary, but if you get a letter from your doctor regarding screenings like these, get them done ASAP. 

Blood Tests Can Tell You a Lot

A blood test can be done at any time, whenever you want it to be, and says so much about your health each time. Whether you’ve picked up something, whether you’ve been developing something in the background, or whether your blood is pumping normally and healthily around your body - all this information is on offer for your record. And compared to the other tests that might be involved in the above checks, a blood test is very quick and easy, even if it’s a little invasive.

Health checks are important for everyone. But if you’ve reached the middle years of life and want to focus on your health going forward, make sure these checks and screenings are the top of your priorities.