Health screening -Age 18 – 39

All adults should visit their health care provider from time to time, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:

• Screen for diseases
• Assess risk of future medical problems
• Help develop a healthy lifestyle
• Update vaccinations
• Maintain a relationship with a doctor in case of an illness

Information

Even if you feel fine, it is still important to see your health care provider regularly to check for potential problems. Most people who have high blood pressure don’t even know it. The only way to find out is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Likewise, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels often do not produce any symptoms until the disease becomes advanced.

There are specific times when you should see your health care provider. Age-specific guidelines are as follows:

• Blood pressure screening:
  • Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless it is 120-139/80-89 Hg or higher. Then have it checked every year.
  • Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your health care provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. Check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies.
  • If the top number (systolic number) is greater than 130 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is greater than 85, call your doctor.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention:
  • Men over age 34 should be checked every 5 years.
  • If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, start getting screened earlier, at age 20.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
• Dental exam:
  • Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
• Eye exam:
  • If you have vision problems, have an eye exam every 2 years.
• Immunizations:
  • After age 19, you should have a tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine once as part of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.
  • You should get a flu shot each year.
  • You should get the HPV vaccine if you have not already.
  • Your doctor may recommend other immunizations if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.
• Infectious disease screening:
  • Depending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV, as well as other infections.
• Preventive health visits should be every 2 years, and may include:
  • Checking height and weight
  • Screening for alcohol and tobacco use
  • Screening for depression

Health screening – Age 40 – 64

All adults should visit their health care provider from time to time, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:

• Screen for diseases
• Assess risk of future medical problems
• Help develop a healthy lifestyle
• Update vaccinations
• Maintain a relationship with a doctor in case of an illness

Information

Even if you feel fine, it is still important to see your health care provider regularly to check for potential problems. Most people who have high blood pressure don’t even know it. The only way to find out is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Likewise, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels often do not produce any symptoms until the disease becomes advanced.

There are specific times when you should see your health care provider. Age-specific guidelines are as follows:

• Blood pressure screening:
  • Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless it is 120-139/80-89 Hg or higher. Then have it checked every year.
  • Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your health care provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. Check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies.
  • If the top number (systolic number) is greater than 130 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is greater than 85, call your doctor.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.

• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention:
  • Men over age 34 should be checked every 5 years.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
  • Some men should consider taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks.
• Colon cancer screening: People between ages 50 and 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer.  This may involve:
  • A stool test done every year.
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a stool occult blood test.
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years.
  • People with risk factors for colon cancer, such as ulcerative colitis, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, or a history of large colorectal adenomas may need a colonoscopy more often.
• Dental exam:
  • Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
• Eye exam:
  • If you have vision problems, continue to have an eye exam every 2 years.
  • The benefit of screening for glaucoma is unclear.
• Immunizations:
  • You should receive a flu vaccine every year.
  • Your doctor may recommend other vaccinations if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.
  • You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccination every 10 years. If you have not received a tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine as one of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines, you should have it once.
  • You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccination once after age 60.
• Osteoporosis screening:
  • All men ages 50 to 70 with risk factors for osteoporosis should discuss screening with their doctor.

• Preventive health visit every 2 years until age 50, and then once a year, should include:
  • Checking height and weight
  • Screening for alcohol and tobacco use
  • Screening for depression
  • Routine diagnostic tests are not recommended.
• Prostate cancer screening:
  • Most men age 50 or older should discuss screening for prostate cancer with their health care provider. African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should discuss screening at age 45.
  • During screening, a PSA blood test is done.

Health screening – Age 65 and older

All adults should visit their health care provider regularly, even if they feel healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:

• Screen for diseases
• Assess risk of future medical problems
• Help develop a healthy lifestyle
• Update vaccinations
• Get to know your doctor in case of an illness

Information

Even if you feel fine, you should still see your health care provider for regular checkups. These visits can avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages.

There are certain times when you should see your health care provider.

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

• Men ages 65 to 75 who have smoked should have an ultrasound done to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• Other men should discuss this screening with their health care provider.

BLOOD PRESSURE

• Have your blood pressure checked every year.
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.

CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE

• Cholesterol should be rechecked every 5 years if levels are normal.
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to checked more often.
• Some men should consider taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks. Check with your doctor before starting.

COLON CANCER

• People from age 50 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer.
• A stool occult blood test should be done every year.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
• Colonoscopy every 10 years.
• People with risk factors for colon cancer, such as ulcerative colitis, a family history of colorectal cancer, or a family history of large colorectal adenomas may need a colonoscopy more often.
• After age 75, you should discuss colon cancer screening with your doctor. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends stopping colon cancer screening after age 85.

DENTAL EXAM

• Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.

EYE EXAM

• Have an eye exam every 2 years if you have vision problems or glaucoma risk.

IMMUNIZATIONS

• If you are age 65 or older, get a pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had one, or it has been more than 5 years since you had the vaccine.
• You should get a flu shot each year.
• Get a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.
• You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccination after age 60.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

• You may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and other infections. Screening will depend on your lifestyle and medical history.
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all adults up to age 65 for HIV infection unless the prevalence is known to be less than 1 in 1000 people.

OSTEOPOROSIS

• All men over age 65 with risk factors for osteoporosis should check with their doctor about screening.

PROSTATE CANCER

• All men age 50 or older should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening.
• If screening is done, a PSA test is the best method.

PREVENTIVE HEALTH VISITS

• Have yearly screenings.
• Your weight and height will be checked.
• You will be screened for alcohol and tobacco use and for depression.
• You will go over your medicines and risk of interactions.
• You will be checked for hearing loss.