[Dave]

As we all know, health is wealth. For anyone who has crossed over into your 40’s, are there any annual checkups or testing you recommend to stay ahead of the game?

I’ve known some really healthy 40+ year olds that die or almost die from a major blockage to the heart etc.

I’d love to hear what you do to keep tabs on your health!

[Polly]

Colonoscopy, CRP, mammo for women and PSA for men. All tests so you have a baseline.

[Abigail]

Calcium scan if you’re worried about your heart. Dexscan for body comp and bone density. Gendered tests for cancer. Yearly bloodwork that includes ApoB for Cholesterol and thyroid markers.

Test one time for LP(a) (that’s a one and done test).

Consider genetic tests if you have certain conditions in your family.

Treat elevated cholesterol early and aggressively.

Read Peter Atia’s Outlive for detailed dive on longevity and preventative care.

[Lee]

Functional medicine, avoid the typical pill for an ill mindset.

[Gary]

The only thing ever proven to prevent and reverse heart disease is a whole foods vegan diet. It benefits much more than just the heart.

And it’s less expensive, which helps you achieve FI quicker.

[April]

Ladies need to learn about perimenopause, the health-related changes and risks that come along with it, and how to manage the negative effects from it.

Start the education before age 40.

[Lori]

A CAC scan is an easy and affordable way to see if you have any calcium on your heart.

HDL to triglyceride ratio is a good indicator, as well.

[Becky]

I’ll also say be aware of your bodies and any changes.
I know the OP is a man, but here’s something for you ladies:
I went to my OB for atypical bleeding. Nothing extreme or crazy, but atypical for me.

Turned out I had a cluster of fast growing fibroids, as well as adenomyosis. Had to have a full hysterectomy – I am 2 weeks post op now.

I caught it early enough to have a minimally invasive robotic laparoscopic procedure.

If I wasn’t proactive it may well have been a C-section cut which is a whole different ball game for recovery.

[Becky]

Check your balls, guys.
My cousin died of testicular cancer at 34 last year.

[Beverly]

Annual skin checks-melanoma is rare, but deadly.
This is preventative and covered by insurance.

[Patrick]

I visit my doctor each August for my annual exam. At this exam, I also have blood tests, chest X-ray and EKG.

I also visit a dermatologist once a year.

[Adam]

Listen to your bodies. If you feel something is off, go to a doctor asap.

My stepmom rapidly started losing weight without trying to and was having stomach issues. I went home at thanksgiving and couldn’t believe the weight loss.

My dad assured me she was going to a doctor. Came back at Christmas – still hadn’t gone. Finally went in January and was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian clinic.

Even with the care of the world class Mayo Clinic, she passed in less than a year.

And my stepmom was a nurse and dad a doctor – and healthcare workers are notoriously bad at seeking care for themselves.

[Andrea]

I’m going to be honest and say your best bet is your relationship with God. My son was a perfectly healthy 3 sport athlete. Had just hiked 26 miles in two days along the Appalachian Trail and boom….

20 days he went from “a sinus infection” (actually heart failure) to a heart transplant.

Zero explanation other than a virus must have attacked his heart (though he was never sick). He is a living miracle.

So many things about his story are absolute miracles. Just a thought…

[Sarah]

Exercise more regularly. Eat healthy. Stop eating processed and junk food. Take high quality vitamins (not the ones from a grocery store).

Stay hydrated (kidney stones aren’t fun).

Go to your annual medical, dental, and dermatology checkups. Use all your chiropractic appointments allowed by your insurance (pain inhibits staying active).

Oh, and buy a 30 year term life insurance while prices are affordable.

[Vira]

In addition, endurance, balance and strength training are so so important.

That being said, you can’t outrun a bad diet, so cut the booze and really really try to eat lots of nutritionally dense food

[Christi]

Do not skip the simple routine physical and bloodwork. Last year that’s how we learned my seemingly perfectly healthy husband had leukemia.

And if something is out of range and your Dr says it’s fine, do a follow up or explore more.

In hindsight my husband’s hematologist could see the previous year’s bloodwork showed signs of leukemia, but his doctor figured it was transient, maybe a low grade virus, and waved it off.

[Nabila]

Get a genetic cancer panel screening. It’s a simple blood test and you can just say you have family history.

Very important if you’re adopted or a 1-2 generation immigrant (someone with unclear family history).

[Martha]

AND Urinalysis! My annual physical exams were not including this. My OBGYN ordered urine test which led to early diagnosis of a rare life threatening disease in early stages.

Such an easy test I don’t know why all PCP’s don’t include in annual exam.

[Ivy]

I set a reoccuring reminder to schedule annual physicals and such on my birthday so I don’t forget.

Some can only be scheduled exactly on one year out so keep that in mind.

[Bunny]

I’m 43f and my PCP ordered tests in advance of my annual wellness checkup: blood work (including liver, thyroid, & vitamin d), colon cancer sample, DEXA bone density scan, and mammogram.

(ETA everything was covered by insurance, but Vit D needed a little extra work)

[Carol]

Read How Not to Die and How Not to Age by Dr. Greger and the medical medium series of books by Anthony William.

Very empowering about how to use healing foods.

[Sacha]

Dental cleaning with dentist every 6 months. Dental health is more important than we all believe when it comes to our bodies!

[Jana]

Def get all the annual preventive tests provided by insurance. They can and do save lives. Mammograms, colonoscopies, annual well exam, derm skin check.

Get your teeth cleaned 2X a year. Vision checked at least once every two years (if you wear contacts/glasses or notice changes).

Work with a functional medicine doctor to get a full panel of metabolic health blood tests – it tells you a lot!

[Mandy]

I’ve always been health focused with exercise and diet. A number of years ago I got my partner off blood pressure meds and lowered his triglycerides by converting to a whole food plant based diet.

It is cholesterol free. Basically added years back to his life.

We are very active and outdoorsy also. Currently away skiing and seeing people in their 60s and beyond enjoying the slopes.

That is my intention, and not worth ruining with any unhealthy diet. What’s the point in being financially set if you’re confined to an armchair AND it could have been prevented?

Will have dark chocolate as my splurges.

Check out the book How Not to Die by Dr Gregor. Science based, many many citations, and he doesn’t take royalties for his books/resources ie less likely to be swayed by the food industry.

[Shanna]

Lift weights! Very important for post menopausal women to improve bone density. Also, maintain strong social connections, however that looks for you.

It can be challenging, but they’re finding out how important it is for us humans.

[Terri]

If you’re younger, get the HPV vaccine. I see a lot of cancer in our practice from this – all genders in their 40s on up.

[Holly]

I will also suggest seeing a cardiologist to have a baseline especially if you have a history of heart disease in your family.

Check cholesterol levels.

If needed a stress test too.

[Author]

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