FATHER'S DAY 2023: KNOW 6 HEALTH CHECKUPS FOR MEN OVER 50

Every adult should have their blood pressure checked frequently. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is particularly dangerous for adults over 50 because it raises the risk of coronary artery disease, which can result in life-threatening episodes like heart attack and stroke. Your doctor will likely check your blood pressure at your subsequent annual checkup if it is normal. Your doctor will advise more frequent testing if your reading's top or bottom numbers are greater than 140 or 90, respectively. You might need to have your blood pressure checked more frequently if you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney issues, or other conditions.

Everyone over 45 should have their blood glucose or sugar levels checked. If you experience signs of high blood sugar like unintended weight loss, sluggish healing, or unusual thirst, your doctor may advise you to have this test done. You can have your next blood sugar test in three years if your blood sugar level is normal. If it's high, you'll need to check your blood sugar again soon and perhaps undergo additional tests to determine whether you already have diabetes or are at risk for developing it.

Although prostate cancer is a risk for all men, the risk significantly rises with age. The risk of developing prostate cancer is higher in men who are 50 years of age or older. PSA concentrations are expressed as nanograms per millilitre. Your doctor might recommend a prostate biopsy if your PSA levels are 3 ng/mL. At the age of 60, your doctor will probably ask you to have another PSA test if your levels are less than 1 ng/mL.

This common test aids in figuring out how much cholesterol or lipid-protein is in your blood. Every five years, adults over 20 should have their cholesterol levels checked. You might not require another test for five years if your cholesterol levels are within the safe range. While you try to lower your cholesterol through diet, exercise, and other alternatives, your doctor will check your blood more frequently if your numbers are high.

Your doctor will undoubtedly recommend a colonoscopy if you are 50 years of age or older. If you possess specific traits like Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBS) or a family history of colon cancer, he or she might ask you to have the test completed sooner. The subsequent examination will be scheduled in 10 years if your colonoscopy reveals no adenomas or malignant growths and you do not possess the risk factors. The examination can be repeated every five to ten years if one or two minor risk adenomas are removed. Your doctor will decide when to see you next based on the outcomes of your tests.

As you approach 50, it's more crucial than ever to have regular eye exams. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, it's a good idea to check with your ophthalmologist to see if there has been any decline in the quality of your vision. Additionally, regular eye exams can aid in identifying additional vision issues that start to emerge at this age. Every two years, or more frequently as recommended by your doctor, you should have an eye exam. Consult your doctor as soon as you can if you notice any changes in your vision.