Routine health checks save time, worry, and money

Routine health checks are vital for people over 40 and a new book Save Your Life and the Lives of Those You Love offers simple steps to staying healthy which include regular testing.

The regular testing list recommended in the book includes blood pressure – every six months for those aged 50 and over; cholesterol – every five years from 45; waist circumference and body mass index – every two years; urine protein test – annual from 50 on.

Skin checks for those at high risk with fair complexion – annually; bowel screen for blood – every two years for 50 and over; osteoporosis risk – annually for women over 45 and men over 50; visual impairment – every five years aged 50 to 64; visual and hearing impairment – every five years aged 65 and over.

For women only the authors suggest a pap smear every two years once sexually active until 70, and a mammogram every two years aged 50 to 69, and optional aged 40 to
and over 70. For men only a prostate check and the risks and benefits of screening should be discussed with the GP.

Co- author, Professor Leanne Rowe, said that compared with the often highly expensive costs of advanced medical technologies for treatment the preventative recommended screening tests were simple and inexpensive.

“If you can have these simple low-cost or no-cost screening tests it can prevent a whole lot of time and money and worry later,” she said.