By Amanda Nichols
owing older may be hard on the ego – middle age brings a bit more gray hair, after all - but the benefits in other ways can be priceless. The hard-earned wisdom that only comes with experience is one such advantage. By age 50, we all know how important our health is to the quality of our lives. Investing in our own health is the greatest gift we can give ourselves and the ones we love. By routinely getting the following checks and screenings, you and your doctor will be better informed about managing any health issues before they become a problem.
Blood pressure check
February is American Heart Month, so it’s the perfect time to talk about the importance of managing high blood pressure. High blood pressure is not the only cause of heart disease, but it can be a risk factor for a heart attack if left uncontrolled. High blood pressure often can be an undetected condition so regular checks are necessary.
Cholesterol screening
Speaking of heart disease, high cholesterol is another risk factor that can affect your heart health. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. If a blockage cuts off blood from reaching the heart, it may lead to a heart attack. A routine cholesterol check can alert you to an issue before it causes damage.
Mammogram
Ladies, this one’s for you. The American Cancer Society recommends women ages 45 to 54 get mammograms every year; women 55 and older can switch to mammograms every 2 years or continue yearly screening. This test is one of the best possible to identify breast cancer early on before it grows into something serious. Talk with your doctor about your risk for breast cancer and the best screening plan for you.
Colon cancer screening
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Your chance of getting it goes up after the age of 50, so unless you’re at above-average risk, your doctor will probably recommend screening every year just to be safe. Because colon cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease is advanced, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each screening test and how often each test should be given.