Questions Men Should Ask During Health Checkups

Men often leave a doctor’s office having said little and asked less. A checkup is far more useful when you arrive with questions. The list below is long so you can pick what applies to your age and situation. Choose the three or four that matter most and ask those first.

Before the visit

• Write down your medicines, vitamins and supplements with doses.
• Ask relatives about heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers in the family, and the ages at diagnosis.
• Note any symptoms, how long you have had them and what makes them better or worse.
• Bring home readings if you have them.

Your numbers

1. What is my blood pressure today, and is it in a healthy range?
2. What are my cholesterol results, and what do they mean for me?
3. Have I been tested for diabetes or prediabetes?
4. Is my weight healthy? What about my waist size?
5. What is my overall risk of heart disease or stroke?

Screening

1. Which screening tests am I due for at my age?
2. Which type of colorectal cancer screening is best for me, and when should I start?
3. Should I have a PSA test for prostate cancer? What are the benefits and risks for me?
4. With my smoking history, do I qualify for lung cancer screening?
5. Should I be tested for hepatitis C, HIV or other infections?
6. Do I need a scan for abdominal aortic aneurysm?
7. Does my family history mean I should start any screening earlier?

Heart health

1. Should I be checking my blood pressure at home? How often?
2. Do I need medicine for my blood pressure or cholesterol, or can I try lifestyle changes first?
3. Should I take aspirin? Do not start daily aspirin without asking.
4. Are my chest discomfort, breathlessness or palpitations a concern?

Urinary and prostate health

1. Is it normal to get up at night to urinate?
2. What could be causing my weak stream or urgency?
3. What treatments are available for an enlarged prostate?

Sexual health

1. Could my erection problems be related to my heart, blood sugar or medicines?
2. What treatments are safe for me?
3. Could low testosterone explain my tiredness or low sex drive? Should it be tested?
4. How often should I be tested for sexually transmitted infections?

Mental health and sleep

1. I have been feeling low, irritable or stressed. What help is available?
2. Is the amount I drink a problem?
3. I snore and feel tired during the day. Should I be checked for sleep apnea?
4. What can I do about poor sleep?

Lifestyle

1. What kind of exercise is right for me, and how much?
2. What changes to my diet would help most?
3. Can you help me stop smoking or vaping?
4. Do I need any vitamins or supplements?

Vaccines

1. Which vaccines am I due for?
2. Do I need a tetanus booster, the shingles vaccine or a pneumonia vaccine?
3. Should I have this season’s flu shot today?

Medicines

1. Do I still need all the medicines I am taking?
2. Could any of them cause my symptoms?
3. Do my supplements interact with my prescriptions?

Specific concerns

1. Should this mole or skin spot be checked?
2. Is this lump, ache or swelling in my testicle a concern?
3. I have noticed blood in my stool or urine. What should happen next?
4. Could my hearing or vision need testing?

During the visit

• Start with your most important concern, not the easiest one.
• Be direct. Doctors discuss erections, urination, bowel habits and mood every day.
• Be honest about alcohol, tobacco, drugs and whether you take your medicines.
• Ask for explanations in plain language.
• Take notes, or bring someone with you.

Before you leave

• What is the plan?
• Which tests are being ordered, and how will I get the results?
• What should I do if my symptoms change?
• When should I come back?

After the visit

• Book the tests and referrals.
• Follow up on results.
• Set reminders for the next checkup and screenings.
• Start one of the recommended lifestyle changes.

If you have been asked to monitor at home, our Automatic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor and Blood Pressure Log Book make it easy to bring accurate records to your next appointment.

The bottom line

The best checkup is a conversation. Prepare your questions, say what is on your mind and leave with a clear plan. Find home health essentials in our men’s health range.

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (MyHealthfinder). Men: Take Charge of Your Health.
2. MedlinePlus. Health screenings for men ages 40 to 64.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screening for Prostate Cancer.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Vaccines are Recommended for You.