The NHS even tell you about an NHS Health Check that they recommend every 5 years after the age of 40 and what you can expect so there is no need to worry. They do this to try to gain an idea of your chances of getting ill and give advice on how to minimise your chances of getting serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke or diabetes. There are also private health checks that you can have done, such as those by hearing clinics such as Auris Ear Care. The main advantage of private clinics is that you should be seen sooner for a charge. If you have the money to pay for a private clinic then this is a way of taking the pressure off the NHS and alleviating any anxiety about waiting for treatment on the NHS.
So what health checks should you be having after the age of 40?
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be very serious, putting a strain on your arteries which increases your risk of serious problems such as stroke and heart disease. You can only find out your blood pressure by asking for a blood pressure test so it may be worth asking for one next time you have a checkup. After the age of 40, you should have your blood pressure tested at least every 5 years so any potential problems can be detected early. If you are on the contraceptive pill your blood pressure is also tested every time you have a contraceptive pill prescription and will be flagged up if it's high.
Cervical Screening
With news that cervical screening attendance is super low once again, I’d just like to remind you how important it is to have regular smear tests. These test the health of your cervix. It isn’t a test for cancer but a test to help prevent cancer - although a lot of people don’t realise this. Don’t worry about feeling anxious or worried about your smear, many women do - but the nurses will certainly put you at ease. Some women can find it uncomfortable but it's worth doing if it saves your life! Check out the NHS advice on what age you should get cervical screening.
High blood pressure can be very serious, putting a strain on your arteries which increases your risk of serious problems such as stroke and heart disease. You can only find out your blood pressure by asking for a blood pressure test so it may be worth asking for one next time you have a checkup. After the age of 40, you should have your blood pressure tested at least every 5 years so any potential problems can be detected early. If you are on the contraceptive pill your blood pressure is also tested every time you have a contraceptive pill prescription and will be flagged up if it's high.
Cervical Screening
With news that cervical screening attendance is super low once again, I’d just like to remind you how important it is to have regular smear tests. These test the health of your cervix. It isn’t a test for cancer but a test to help prevent cancer - although a lot of people don’t realise this. Don’t worry about feeling anxious or worried about your smear, many women do - but the nurses will certainly put you at ease. Some women can find it uncomfortable but it's worth doing if it saves your life! Check out the NHS advice on what age you should get cervical screening.
Mammogram Screening
When you are over the age of 50, you should certainly be going for regular breast cancer screenings - these are called a mammogram. With 1 in 8 women in the UK diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, it is paramount you keep on top of your screenings. Your results are usually sent to you and your GP no later than 2 weeks after your appointment.
Hearing Tests
Hearing can deteriorate so quickly so it is important to make sure you are getting checked out regularly as you get older, and looking after your ears. Maybe a simple removal of wax could help your hearing or a hearing aid may be prescribed if you have age-related hearing loss. Hearing tests are simple to do and pain-free so I recommend having one especially if you feel your hearing has deteriorated.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the main illnesses and conditions they test for in an NHS Health Check, so you must be checked regularly for the disease as you get older. It doesn’t discriminate - people can develop Type 2 diabetes late in life so make sure you are tested especially if you have any of the symptoms of diabetes such as feeling thirsty all the time, extreme fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
High Cholesterol
Did you know that high cholesterol causes few symptoms? It can only be diagnosed with a blood test. Age, weight, diet and other conditions can contribute to having high cholesterol. It may also be hereditary. If you do have high cholesterol, a doctor or nurse will talk to you about how you can lower it with dietary choices and medication.
So these are just a few health checks that women over the age of 40 should be ensuring they have. Women are great at looking after others, but often bad at looking after themselves. Be sure to get regular health checks as you get older as it could save your life.
When you are over the age of 50, you should certainly be going for regular breast cancer screenings - these are called a mammogram. With 1 in 8 women in the UK diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, it is paramount you keep on top of your screenings. Your results are usually sent to you and your GP no later than 2 weeks after your appointment.
Hearing Tests
Hearing can deteriorate so quickly so it is important to make sure you are getting checked out regularly as you get older, and looking after your ears. Maybe a simple removal of wax could help your hearing or a hearing aid may be prescribed if you have age-related hearing loss. Hearing tests are simple to do and pain-free so I recommend having one especially if you feel your hearing has deteriorated.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the main illnesses and conditions they test for in an NHS Health Check, so you must be checked regularly for the disease as you get older. It doesn’t discriminate - people can develop Type 2 diabetes late in life so make sure you are tested especially if you have any of the symptoms of diabetes such as feeling thirsty all the time, extreme fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
High Cholesterol
Did you know that high cholesterol causes few symptoms? It can only be diagnosed with a blood test. Age, weight, diet and other conditions can contribute to having high cholesterol. It may also be hereditary. If you do have high cholesterol, a doctor or nurse will talk to you about how you can lower it with dietary choices and medication.
So these are just a few health checks that women over the age of 40 should be ensuring they have. Women are great at looking after others, but often bad at looking after themselves. Be sure to get regular health checks as you get older as it could save your life.
*Collaborative post
This is such a useful round up and I had no idea there were so many. I really need to get organised as I so often let appointments like this slip and they're so important.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to forget to make appointments like this or put them off. Make a note of them in your diary or set an alarm to make sure you make them when due
DeleteI think it's getting t the time that I should consider having most of these myself.It's good to have a list to refer too x
ReplyDeleteI had gestational diabetes when i was pregnant so am tested regularly for my sugar levels
ReplyDeleteA useful round up and while I have a bit of time to go it's always useful to know what to keep an eye on x
ReplyDeleteIt is for sure
DeleteI am nearing towards this, so may have to start looking into booking at appointment xx
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is a well woman clinic near you that can advise you on perform check ups.
DeleteThis is such an informative post for any woman who is in their 40s, I have heard of most of these checks but not the hearing tests, so its good to know about this and ensure that the health tests are done.
ReplyDeleteMy hearing has changed slightly over the last few years, and my mum has just been given a hearing aid
DeleteI get a lot of this checked regularly due to my diabetes and it is so important that people do make use of the service to keep them healthy as they go along in life. I’d also make you eye tests and booked as well
ReplyDeleteI am 8 years short of 40 but have started having some of these done every so often.
ReplyDelete