FIVE IMPORTANT TESTS FOR HEALTHY AGEING

Worldwide people are living longer. Today, 125 million people are aged 80 years or older. Health check-ups should be done regularly, especially after the age of 35. Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia. Furthermore, as people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time. Regular tests help you make informed decisions to enjoy better health for longer.

1. CHOLESTEROL TEST

Monitoring and maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol are important in staying healthy. In fact, controlling your cholesterol can add years to your life. High levels of cholesterol can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol levels should be checked at least once every four to six years (or more frequently if you’re at risk for a heart attack). High cholesterol levels can be treated by diet and medications.

2. BLOOD PRESSURE TEST

Known as the silent killer, hypertension (high blood pressure) is rarely accompanied by symptoms, making regular screenings important. Untreated high blood pressure damages your bones, brain, eyes, kidneys and heart, increasing your risk for osteoporosis, strokes, vision loss, kidney failure and heart disease. Have your blood pressure checked once a year.

3. OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

As people age, bone mass is lost faster than it’s created. It is estimated that half of all women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, and so will one in four men. Risk factors can include long-term steroid use, low body weight, smoking, heavy alcohol use, a fracture after age 50, or a family history of osteoporosis. Once you reach 65, you should have a bone mineral density exam regardless of risk factors, and follow-up scans should be performed every year or every second year.

4. EYE SCREENING

As you age, eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma become more common. Screening can preserve and maximise vision. You should have your eyes examined and screened for disorders every two years at least, and every year after the age of 60.

5. BLOOD SUGAR TEST

As we age, we become more insulin resistant, often resulting in high blood sugar. High

blood-sugar levels mean you run the risk of developing diabetes. Untreated diabetes can destroy your health, causing heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. You should have your blood-sugar levels tested annually, or more often if readings tend to be abnormal.

This article first appeared in Pharmacy Magazine, September 2019