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The older you get, the more important it is to stay on top of your health. One of the best ways of doing this is by regularly scheduling medical tests and screenings. Here are five especially important tests to make sure you keep up with as you age.

1. Blood Pressure

It is important to monitor your blood pressure level, even at a young age. High blood pressure shows no warning signs or symptoms, so the only way to make sure you are healthy is with a formal test. As you get older, you should have your blood pressure checked more frequently – every two years at least.

2. Colonoscopy

Getting a colonoscopy may not be the most pleasant experience, but it’s necessary to stay on top of your colon health, especially if you have a history of cancer in your family. A colonoscopy can detect and remove polyps, which could eventually turn into cancer if left untreated.

3. Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels are one of the biggest warning signs for heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in America. People should begin to think about their cholesterol levels at age 35, even as young as 20 if you have a family history of heart disease.

4. Eye & Ear Exams

As we age, our eyesight and hearing tends to take a turn for the worse. You should schedule an eye exam at least once between ages 20-29, twice between 30-39, and every two-four years after age 40. Hearing tests should be taken once every ten years until age 50, then every three years afterward.

5. Bone Mineral Density

Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by frail and brittle bones, affects nearly 10 million Americans – most of them older. Schedule your first test at age 65, and every five years thereafter, to keep tabs on your bone health.

Orthopaedic Specialty Group is southern Connecticut’s premier orthopedic practice. With a team of fully-certified doctors and several locations in Fairfield County, don’t trust anyone but us with your bone and joint health. Visit our website for more information or give us a call at (203) 337-2600.