What examinations need to be done after 30 years
Health / / December 30, 2020
1. Check your cardiovascular system
It used to be believed that this primarily concerns men, and women need not worry until menopause. But lately there has beenGender matters: Heart disease risk in women there is growing evidence that risks for women have been underestimated. Therefore, starting from the age of 30–35, it is recommended for everyone to monitor the work of the heart.
Get tested even if you have no complaints about your well-being. In the early stages, heart disease often occurs without visible symptoms. Overweight, bad habits, a sedentary lifestyle and cardiovascular diseases in the family are additional risk factorsCardiovascular Risk Factors. Insights From Framingham Heart Study. In their presence, it is impossible to neglect examinations in any case.
Measure blood pressure
High blood pressure - one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, so do not be lazy to monitor it. It can be checked in any hospital or at home, if you get a tonometer - do it at least once a month. This is especially important for those with high blood pressure in the family.
For many years, the threshold was 140/90, but in 2018 the American Heart Association changed the frame. It is now considered elevatedHigh blood pressure pressure more than 130/80.
If you notice an increase in yourself, observe the indicator for several days to make sure that this is not an isolated case. Then contact a specialist. In the early stages, problems can be prevented by dietary and lifestyle changes, but in the later stages, medication will be needed.
Get tested for cholesterol levels
The American Heart Association advisesHow To Get Your Cholesterol Tested do an analysis every five years. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the indicators of LDL and HDL (low and high density lipoproteins), total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Those who are at risk should be checked more often - every 1-2 years. Factors that increase the likelihood of poor test results are:
- smoking;
- diabetes;
- excess weight;
- lack of physical activity;
- hereditary heart disease.
2-3 days before the analysis, exclude fried and fatty foods from the diet, give up alcohol and cigarettes. And be sure to tell your doctor what medications you are taking, because many medications can affect the outcome.
Do an EKG
An electrocardiogram is a record of the electrical activity of the heart. With its help, you can identify:
- heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia);
- narrowing of the arteries (coronary insufficiency);
- structural disorders of the heart;
- traces of a heart attack.
If you are not complaining about your well-being, do a cardiogram once a year. But do not postpone the trip to the clinic if you notice the following symptoms:
- palpable heartbeat;
- rapid pulse;
- chest pain;
- lack of air;
- dizziness or lightheadedness;
- weakness, fatigue.
2. Check your blood for sugar
Chronic elevated blood sugar is a sign diabetes. And he, in turn, can lead to serious consequences: stroke, heart attack, blindness, amputation of limbs, diseases of peripheral arteries.
If you are in general normal health, donate blood sugar once every three years. But if you are in a high-risk area, then do it once a year. Factors of special attention:
- heredity;
- excess weight and lack of physical activity;
- hypertension;
- significantly increased cholesterol levels;
- gestational diabetes (during pregnancy);
- syndrome polycystic ovary.
The analysis must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, that is, before that, do not eat for 8 to 14 hours. Avoid alcohol the night before and try to avoid physical and emotional stress.
3. Get a complete blood count
It is used to comprehensively assess health and diagnose a wide range of diseases, including anemia, leukemia, and blood infections. This test checks the amount of different blood components, in particular:
- red blood cells and hemoglobin, with which they carry oxygen;
- white blood cells that fight infections;
- platelets, which provide blood clotting and wound healing.
Get checked once a year to monitor your health. And be sure, if you have an unreasonable weakness, fatigue, temperature, inflammation, bruises began to form easily. The analysis will show the number and ratio of different blood cells. Don't try to interpret the results yourself, see your doctor. He will be able to identify problems and, if necessary, order a more thorough examination.
If you only take a general blood test, the last meal should be no later than an hour before the test. If you check other parameters at the same time, ask your doctor how long you need to abstain from food.
4. Take a smear for oncocytology (women)
This is necessary for the timely detection of precancerous changes in the vagina and cervix. Smear adviseScreening Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer do every three years. If you have a good result three times in a row, you can go through this procedure every five years. Ideally, such a check should be done along with an HPV (human papillomavirus) test. This is the main reasonHuman papillomavirus cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact and through skin-to-skin contact.
5. Get tested for STIs
This should be done before the age of 30, but it is by this age that many are planning to have children, so it is especially important to monitor your health. The most common infectionssexually transmitted infections, in the early stages there are no pronounced symptoms. And untreated diseases lead to serious complications, including infertility.Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infertility.
Therefore, do not postpone the tests. They need to be taken:
- Anyone who is sexually active - once a year for the most common STIs: syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV.
- For those who frequently change partners, have unprotected sex or use intravenous drugs, every 3–6 months.
- Women at the beginning of pregnancy - additional HIV tests, hepatitis B and syphilis.
6. Monitor your mental health
Problems start very gradually, with small changes in thoughts and emotions. Of course, you shouldn't rush to the doctor every time you are in a bad mood, but ignoring the alarm bells is also not an option. If the problems are not dealt with, the condition can worsen.
Do not postpone treatment if you notice several of the following symptoms that do not go away for a long time and interfere with living a full life:
- You become anxious or irritable.
- You feel depressed for a long time.
- It is difficult for you to concentrate and remember something.
- You cannot sleep or, conversely, sleep too much.
- You mood swings.
- You find it difficult to cope with daily activities (cooking, showering).
- You cry for no reason.
- You have become suspicious.
- You have thoughts of suicide.
- You have started spending a lot and you cannot control it.
Feel free to ask for help. Mental health is the same aspect of the state of the body as physical. And he also needs to be taken care of. Frequent stress at work or in the family, lack of sleep, traumatic events can undermine it. Talk to your therapist to find out which specialist to consult in your case.
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