Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2016 | Page 47

in your

50

’s

your health check-up
through the ages

General Health

• Get a full checkup including height and weight
and blood work.
• Speak with your doctor about any concerns with
sleep habits
• Discuss with your doctor about having a thyroid
(TSH) test
• HIV screening - get this test if you are at risk for HIV
infection (unprotected sex, sexually transmitted
disease, or used drugs with needles)
• Hepatitis C (HCV) screening - get this one-time
screening if you were born between 1945 and 1965

Heart Health

Breast Health

• Conduct monthly self breast exams and let your
doctor know about changes
• Have a yearly clinical breast exam
• Have a mammogram every 1-2 years

Reproductive Health
•
•
•
•

Pap Test at least every 3 years
Yearly pelvic exam
HPV testing
Speak to your doctor about a contraceptive
method with less cardiovascular risk factors

• Blood Pressure test every 2 years
• Have a complete cholesterol panel
including your LDL, HDL, and
triglycerides

Colorectal Health

Bone Health

Skin, Eye and Ear Health

• Discuss with your doctor whether to have a bone
density screen

Immunizations

• Yearly flu vaccine
• Tetanus - diphtheria - perfussis booster
vaccine every 10 years

Diabetes

• have your blood glucose or A1c test if you have
sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80,
take medicine for high blood pressure or at risk
for developing diabetes.

• Starting age 50, talk to your doctor about which
screening test is best for you and how often you
need it.

• Monthly self-exam of skin and moles and as part
of a routine full physical checkup
• Comprehensive baseline eye exam every 2-4 years
until age 55, and then every 1-2 years.
• Have a hearing test every 3 years.

Weight

• Eat every 3-4 hours to keep your
metabolism up and maintain your
weight. Try to exercise at least 3-4
times a week.
Sources: US Department of Health and Human Services Office
on Women’s Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention.