You probably have heard the phrase, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” For men approaching 40 years of age, staying on top of health tests is very importance as many of these health tests can detect problems early so that preventive measures can be taken and help you stay strong for years to come.

Many people tend to ignore the aches and pains as they get older. However, it’s important not to discount signs or symptoms just because you’re aging. Annual exams and screenings can help detect potential risks that could become life-threatening. Preventative care is the best kind of healthcare.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin discuss 10 health tests every man over age of 40 should get. In this post, you will learn that many of these health tests can be done in your regular check up with your doctors, while some can be done from the comfort of your own home. These annual exams and screening test can help detect potential risks that could become life-threatening. Since preventative care is the best kind of healthcare, start checking these off your list before the end of the year.

1. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) – An ABI test is used to determine if you are at risk of developing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD refers to a condition that primarily affects men over the age of 50 (although women and younger people often get it too). This occurs when an artery within the leg becomes narrowed due to plaque buildup. People who currently or formerly have smoked, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, are obese or diabetic, have a history of vascular disease, or are of African-American descent. If you fall in any of the categories above, it is crucial to get an ABI test as soon as possible. Risk factors of PAD include: stroke, amputation, limited mobility, and even amputation.
2. Cholesterol and blood pressure check – Both cholesterol and blood pressure levels tend to increase as you age; therefore, it’s important to get your levels checked. These checks need to be performed at your annual checkup. If you have a history of increased levels for either category, you may need to get them done more frequently. During a cholesterol check, a small sample of blood is taken where the HDL, LDL, and triglycerides are measured. During a blood pressure check, your doctor will be measuring your systolic and diastolic levels. If you’re over the age of 60 and are a man, your levels should be around 135/88.
3. Colon cancer screening – All men over the age of 45 should get screened for colorectal cancer by age 50. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should get a colonoscopy even sooner. A colonscopy can detect pre-cancerous growths as well, which could decrease your risk of colon or rectal cancer. It is recommended to get a colonscopy every 10 years. If polyps are formed during the exam, you may have to go more frequently.
4. Diabetes screening – You should be screened for diabetes before the age of 45. A diabetes, blood sugar test is performed by analyzing either a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or A1C blood test. 1 in 3 people with diabetes will develop Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). It’s important to get screened for both.
5. Prostate cancer screening – It is recommended that men should be screened for prostate cancer after turning 50; however, if you have a family history of this condition, you should get tested before 40. A digital rectal examination (DRE) or a PSA blood test may be used to screen for prostate cancer.
6. Vitamin D test – This text monitors for potential bone disorders. The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test. Your levels should be around 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered good levels for healthy people.
7. Dermatology check – Older men are twice as likely to develop melanoma as women of the same age. In addition, men are also two to three times more likely to get non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers than women are. It’s incredibly important to get checked for skin cancer as often as possible. If you have had extensive sun exposure, bad sunburns, abnormal or new moles, skin discoloration, or a family history of skin disease, you should get checked as frequently as possible. In its’ early stages, skin cancer may be able to be removed before it becomes worse.
8. Testicular cancer screening – Even though testicular cancer typically affects men between the ages of 20 to 54, we believe it’s an important test to mention in case you have not already had one completed. Doctors recommend regular self-exams as well similar to those for breast cancer.
9. Glaucoma screening – The purpose of a glaucoma screening exams is to detect people with early stage of this condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can often reduce the risk of vision loss. It is recommended to get checked every 6-12 months if you’re over the age of 65. It is recommended to schedule an eye exam every one to two years. If you have diabetes, you should have an eye exam every year.
10. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening – You are more at risk if you have smoked and are between the ages of 60-80. Men are at an increased risk, so it’s important to ask your doctor about how many times you need to schedule one. The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the pelvic, abdomen, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm could occur if the aorta becomes very large or balloons out. If you have smoked or are currently a smoker, have high blood pressure, or have a family history of this condition, you should get screened more frequently.

It can be easy to ignore your symptoms or put off annual physicals. Many of us tend to make excuses or just completely forget if we don’t make it a part of our routine. Skipping annual physicals can be extremely detrimental to your health. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent serious health concerns. Especially as you age, you need to take good care of your body and measure crucial health levels like blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. These can be good indicators to notify you and your doctor that you may have underlying condition.

 

Why? A little cholesterol (a type of fat found in your blood) is good—it helps your brain and other organs do their jobs. Too much cholesterol, however, clogs your arteries and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. [6]

“Checking cholesterol levels is one of the best ways to know your risk of heart disease,” explains Dr. Buchanan. [4]

When? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most healthy adults should get their cholesterol checked every four to six years. But those who have heart disease or diabetes—or a family history of high cholesterol—should have the test more often. Ask your doctor what’s right for you. [4,7]

The screening: Your cholesterol can be checked with an at-home test or at your doctor’s office. With LetsGetChecked tests, you provide a home sample collection with physician-approved results in two to five days. If your levels are high, your doctor may prescribe medications, such as statins, that can help lower cholesterol. [4,8]

Take a cholesterol test at home now.

Why? Colorectal cancer (or bowel cancer)—the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States—usually starts with abnormal growths called polyps in your colon or rectum, before you notice a thing. But screenings can detect cancer early, while it’s still easy to treat. About 90 percent of new cases happen in those who are 50 or older, so getting a screening past the half-century mark is critical. [10]

When? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends starting colorectal cancer screenings at age 45. However, you should get screened sooner if a close relative has had colorectal cancer, or if you have an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Then follow up with tests at regular intervals until you’re 75. [11]

The screening: You’ve got several choices, including an at-home test (which is convenient, non-invasive, and comes with medical support to guide you), a colonoscopy, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy. How frequently should you be tested? That depends on what kind of screening it is and your individual risk factors. [10,12]

Here are the suggested timelines, according to experts: [10]

• At-home tests: every year
• Colonoscopy: every 10 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: every five years

“If you don’t have a close relative with colon cancer, the at-home test is equally as effective as a colonoscopy,” explains Dr. Gary Kerkvliet, M.D., an internist with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. [13] Talk to your doctor about which screening is right for you. [10]

Take a colorectal cancer screening test now.

Why? Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that can cause a serious liver infection. Fortunately, it’s treatable. But of the 3.5 million Americans living with a chronic HCV infection, half haven’t been tested. [16]

When? Now. Baby boomers and Gen Xers are five times more likely than other groups to have HCV. [17] But, the numbers are increasing in younger people. [18] That’s why the CDC recently changed its recommendation and now recommend to all adults over the age of 18 at least once in their lives to be screened. [18] Catching HCV early can lead to effective, lifesaving treatment. [16,17]

The screening: According the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, screening for hepatitis C begins with a blood test. This test checks for disease-fighting proteins (antibodies) in your blood. If you’re found to have antibodies, further follow up testing with a healthcare provider will be required. [18] If you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, there are many effective treatment options. [19,20]

Take a hepatitis C test from home now.

Why? According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 34 million Americans—a quarter of them older adults—have Type 2 diabetes. [23] If it’s not caught and treated, this condition can damage blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, and it can even lead to heart disease or a stroke. [4,24] In 2017, it was the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. [23]

When? Age is one of the biggest risk factors for diabetes, [25] so it’s important that adults aged 40 to 70 who are overweight or obese are screened for abnormal blood glucose at their annual physical exam. If the results are normal, another test is recommended after three years. [26]

The screening: The common screening for diabetes, the A1C test, measures your average blood sugar levels for the past few months. If your levels are greater than 6.5 percent, you may have diabetes. If levels are between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, you may have prediabetes, meaning that you are at increased risk for developing diabetes. [26; 27] Although possible to reverse at this stage, “this is something to take very seriously,” says Dr. Buchanan. “Your doctor will treat it in a variety of ways—through medication, exercise, and lifestyle changes.” [4]

Take a diabetes test now.

Why? According to a Harvard study, nearly a quarter of men between the ages of 60 and 69 and almost half of those ages 70 to 79 experience moderate or severe sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction. [31] Although chronic illnesses and the medications that treat them often play a part, decreasing hormone levels can also be a major factor. [4,31]

When? This depends on a number of factors, including what test you’re taking and your age. (See below for more information.)

The screenings:

• Low Testosterone: Starting at about age 40, levels of the male hormone testosterone decline by about 1 percent a year. [31] “If guys in their 50s complain of fatigue, weight gain, and decreased sexual desire, it may be worth checking testosterone levels,” says Dr. Buchanan. “It’s important to be really careful about this though—supplementing with testosterone can cause heart problems or even lead to aggression.” [4,32]

Take a hormone test from home now.

• Hypothyroidism: Your thyroid is an organ in the front of your neck that produces hormones. [33] If it doesn’t make enough of them, you could end up feeling depressed or sluggish. Dr. Buchanan notes that, while he doesn’t typically screen men right away for hypothyroidism, if a patient has been losing weight or feels run down, he may run the test. [4,34]

Take a thyroid test from home now.

Why? This condition may happen when male hormones—especially testosterone—stimulate the growth of cancer cells in the prostate. [34] But research suggests that as many as 50 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer may be treated for a problem that won’t actually affect their health during their lifetime—and the treatments may cause problems like sexual dysfunction so it is important to discuss the most suitable tests with your doctor. [35]

When? It’s common for doctors to test for prostate cancer in men between ages 55 and 69. [35]

The screening: The gold standard for evaluating prostate health is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says that this screening may be more important for African Americans or those with a family history of prostate cancer. [35] Talk to your doctor about whether this test is right for you.

Take a PSA test from home now.

Why? Your blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. When the pressure is too high—the medical term is hypertension—your heart has to pump harder. That increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or kidney or heart failure. [4,14]

When? At least annually, starting at age 40—more often if your blood pressure is high. [4,14]

The screening: High blood pressure can be checked with a quick, simple arm monitor. Treatment with medications and lifestyle changes can prevent dangerous or even deadly health problems. If your blood pressure is high, you’ll be asked to come back for periodic rechecks. [4,14]

Why? More than one-third of Americans are obese, a condition that’s connected to heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and even early death. [15]

When? Your doctor will weigh you and measure your height at your annual visit. If your body mass index (BMI) 25 or higher (over 25 being considered overweight and over 30 obese), you may be asked to come back for rechecks. It’s likely that your doctor will recommend weight loss and lifestyle changes, including exercise. [15]

The screening: Your doctor will have you hop on the scale, check your weight, and calculate your (BMI). [15] (Try this handy calculator to see where you land.)

Why? Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in America—but the most common type, non-small cell lung cancer, can often be cured if it’s found early. The two biggest risk factors for lung cancer: age and smoking history. [4,28,29]

When? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends an annual screening for adults 55 to 80 who have a 30-pack-year smoking history. So if you’ve smoked a pack a day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years—or if you quit smoking less than 15 years ago—ask your doctor about this test at your annual checkup. [4,30]

The screening: “Today we’re able to catch early lung cancers in smokers with a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan,” explains Dr. Buchanan. The condition may be treated with surgery. [4,30]

Why? Your aorta is a large vessel that carries blood from your heart down to your abdomen. If the walls of your aorta are weak, they may swell up like a balloon, forming an aneurism that grows slowly and quietly. If it bursts, it can cause bleeding that may lead to death—and emergency surgery to repair it is risky. [21]

When? Men between the ages of 65 and 75, and men who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime, are at the highest risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurism. If you fit either of those descriptions, talk to your doctor about this test. [22]

The screening: If you’ve ever smoked, this one-time, noninvasive ultrasound test may be a real lifesaver. “It’s an effective way to catch something that could kill you without warning,” says Kerkvliet. “Be sure to get it when you turn 65.” [12]