Understanding Preventive Health Checkups for Men

A preventive checkup is a visit to the doctor when nothing is wrong. Its purpose is to keep it that way. For men, who are statistically less likely to seek routine care, regular checkups are a simple way to catch silent conditions and stay current with screening and vaccines.

What a checkup is for

MedlinePlus lists the aims of regular visits:

• to screen for medical issues;
• to assess your risk of future medical problems;
• to encourage a healthy lifestyle;
• to update vaccinations and other preventive care;
• to help you get to know your provider in case of illness.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar may cause no symptoms in their early stages. Simple tests find them.

What happens during the visit

Conversation

Your provider will ask about:

• your medical and family history;
• medicines and supplements;
• diet, exercise and sleep;
• alcohol, tobacco and drug use;
• mood, including depression and anxiety;
• sexual health;
• safety, such as seat belt use.

Measurements

Blood pressure, height, weight and body mass index should be checked at every exam.

Physical examination

Depending on your age and concerns, this may include listening to your heart and lungs, examining the abdomen, and checking the skin. Mention any lumps, pain or changes you have noticed.

Tests

Blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar, and other screening according to your age and risk.

Vaccines

Any that are due.

Checkups by age

Ages 18 to 39

• Blood pressure checks, more often if readings are raised or you have risk factors
• Cholesterol screening beginning at age 20, repeated every four to six years if normal
• Diabetes screening from 35 if you are overweight or have obesity
• A one-time test for hepatitis C and for HIV, and testing for other sexually transmitted infections according to risk
• Dental checkups once or twice a year
• Vaccines: yearly flu shot, tetanus booster every ten years, HPV vaccine if eligible

Ages 40 to 64

• Blood pressure at least once every year
• Cholesterol and diabetes screening
• Colorectal cancer screening from age 45
• A discussion about prostate cancer screening from age 55
• Lung cancer screening from age 50 for those with a significant smoking history
• Eye examinations every two to four years from 40 to 54, and every one to three years from 55 to 64
• Shingles vaccine at or after age 50

Age 65 and over

• Continued blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes checks
• Colorectal cancer screening to age 75
• A one-time ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked
• Hearing and vision checks
• Discussion of bone health and fall prevention
• Vaccines recommended for older adults, including pneumonia vaccines

Your doctor will adapt this schedule to your personal and family history.

How often should you go?

There is no single rule. Many doctors recommend a yearly visit from middle age, and every one to three years for healthy younger adults. Ask what interval suits you.

How to prepare

• List your medicines, vitamins and supplements with doses.
• Find out your family history: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and the age at which relatives were diagnosed.
• Note any symptoms, even minor ones.
• Bring home readings, such as blood pressure.
• Write down your questions.
• Ask whether you need to fast for blood tests.

Topics men often avoid, and should not

• Erectile dysfunction or low sex drive
• Urinary symptoms
• Low mood, stress, anger or sleep problems
• Alcohol or drug use
• Snoring and daytime sleepiness
• Changes in bowel habits

Each has effective treatments, and several can point to other conditions that need attention.

After the checkup

• Follow up on test results; do not assume no news is good news.
• Book any referrals or screening tests.
• Act on the advice: small changes in diet, activity or sleep add up.
• Note when your next visit and tests are due.

Monitoring between visits

If your doctor recommends home blood pressure checks, use an automatic upper arm monitor such as our Automatic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, and record the readings. A Digital Body Weight Scale helps track weight.

Do not wait for a checkup if

You have chest pain, shortness of breath, blood in your urine or stool, a testicular lump, unexplained weight loss or thoughts of self-harm. Seek care promptly.

The bottom line

A preventive checkup takes an hour or less and can add healthy years. Book one, go prepared and follow through. Find home health essentials in our men’s health range.

Sources

1. MedlinePlus. Health screenings for men ages 18 to 39.
2. MedlinePlus. Health screenings for men ages 40 to 64.
3. MedlinePlus. Health screenings for men age 65 and older.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (MyHealthfinder). Men: Take Charge of Your Health.