What examinations need to be done after 30 years

1. Check your cardiovascular system

It used to be believed that this primarily applies to men, and women do not have to worry until menopause. But more and more evidence has recently emerged that the risks to 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 factors. In their presence, examinations should not be neglected in any case.

Measure blood pressure

High blood pressure is 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. Now a pressure of more than 130/80 is considered to be elevated.

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 recommends testing 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 need to 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 going to the clinic if you notice the following symptoms:

palpable heartbeat;
rapid pulse;
chest pain;
lack of air;
dizziness or lightheadedness;
weakness, fatigue.

2. Test your blood for sugar

Chronic high blood sugar levels are a sign of diabetes. And he, in turn, can lead to serious consequences: stroke, heart attack, blindness, amputation of limbs, peripheral arterial disease.

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);
polycystic ovary syndrome.

The analysis must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, that is, before that, do not eat for 8 to 14 hours. Cut out 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, fever, 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, prescribe 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. Make a smear for oncocytology (women)

This is necessary for the timely detection of precancerous changes in the vagina and cervix. A smear is advised to be done 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 cause of cervical cancer. HPV is primarily transmitted sexually and also 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 sexually transmitted infections do not have pronounced symptoms in the early stages. And untreated diseases lead to serious complications, including infertility.

Therefore, do not postpone the tests. They need to be taken:

Everyone 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 tests for HIV, 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 run 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 have mood swings.
You find it difficult to cope with everyday activities (cooking, showering).
You cry for no reason.
You have become suspicious.
You have suicidal thoughts.
You have started spending a lot and you cannot control it.

Feel free to ask for help. Mental health is as much an 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.