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KEEP IN TOUCH WITH
YOUR DOCTOR
As people age, risks increase for a num-
ber of health problems. These include
arthritis, cataracts and certain cancers.
Sometimes, a combination of genetics
and environmental factors—including
lifestyle—can put people at risk as well.
By working with your doctor, you can
better understand your specific risks.
Just as important, you can learn how to
head off those factors that pose some
of the greatest risks. For example, your
doctor might recommend that you stop
smoking, improve your diet, get moving
and have your screening tests. In some
cases, you might need medication.
If you already have a health problem,
it’s important to work closely with your
doctor. Doing so can help you manage
your condition. And that can help you
live as healthfully as possible.
200
240
200
239
Less than
200 mg/dL:
Desirable
level, which
puts you at
lower risk
for coronary
heart disease
240 mg/dL
and above:
High, putting
you at more
than twice
the risk for
coronary
heart disease
than a level
of 200 mg/dL
or below
200 to 239
mg/dL:
Borderline
high
80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
High blood pressure
Also known as hypertension, this puts you at higher risk for heart attacks, strokes
and kidney disease. Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least
every two years. Blood pressure is measured in mm Hg (millimeters of mercury)
and recorded as two numbers. The top number measures the systolic pressure in the
arteries—when the heart beats. The bottom number measures diastolic pressure in
the arteries—between heartbeats.
D
D
normal
prehypertension
D
=diastolic
S
=systolic
hypertension stage 1
hypertension stage 2
S
S
D
D
S
S
Colorectal cancer
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
recommends colorectal cancer screening for
men and women aged 50 to 75. The tests
that can find this cancer are high-sensitivity
fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoid-
oscopy and colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor
about which test or tests are right for you.
The decision to be screened after age 75
should be made on an individual basis.
If you are older than 75, ask your doctor
whether you should be screened.
For women
If you’re a woman, ask your doctor
when and how often you should
be screened for breast cancer,
cervical cancer and osteoporosis.
For men
If you’re a man between ages
65 and 75 and have ever been a
smoker, talk to your doctor about
being screened for an abdominal
aortic aneurysm.
Sources: AGS Foundation for Health in Aging; American Heart Association; Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes of Health
Stay healthy
with these screenings
THERE AREN’T MANY GUARANTEES
in life. But here’s something
that comes close to one: Certain safeguards can help you stay as healthy
as possible. In addition to diabetes screenings, here are a few more tests
you may need.
High cholesterol
This is a major risk factor for heart disease. Starting at age 20, consider this test a
must if you use tobacco; are obese; or have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart dis-
ease or blocked arteries. Testing is also advised at this age if a man in your family had
a heart attack before age 50 or a woman had one before age 60. Otherwise, ask your
doctor when you should start testing. Here’s what cholesterol levels mean:
10