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. African-Americans should consider starting screening at age 45. 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 start screening at age 45.
  • During screening, a PSA blood test is done.

Alternative Names

Health maintenance visit - men - age 40 - 64; Physical exam - men - age 40 - 64; Yearly exam - men - age 40 - 64; Checkup - men - age 40 - 64; Men's health - age 40 - 64

References

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for prostate cancer. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(3):185-191.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2010.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended adult immunization schedule -- United States, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(4):1-4.

Smith RA, Cokkinides V, Brawley OW. Cancer screening in the United States, 2010: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and issues in cancer screening. CA Cancer J Clin. 2010;60(2):99-119.

National Osteoporosis Foundation. Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Jan. 2010. Accessed Dec. 15, 2011.

Clinical Practice Guideline Expert Committee. Canadian Ophthalmological Society evidence-based clinical practice guideliens for the periodic eye examination in adults in Canada. Can J Ophthalmol. 2007;42(1):158-163.

Update Date: 4/1/2012

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.