Laboratory Analysis
As you or your loved ones grow old, they get more prone to attract different medical conditions. The 60s is considered as the first decade of old age because people in this age are fairly in good health and lead an active life. However, it is important to opt for a regular preventative checkup to catch a medical problem in its initial stage.
Aged above 60? Here are a few tests you should perform on a regular basis.
- Blood Pressure
It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure can indicate other underlying health problems. Moreover, people who suffer from high blood pressure rarely feel any difference in their body and it can do significant damage long before it is caught. - Weight
Seniors are also recommended to keep an eye on their weight. As we grow old, our metabolism changes and it is easy for an aging adult to lose or gain weight. This can make the elderly person prone to acquiring various diseases. Significant weight gain later in life can lead to different kinds of medical problems. - Cancer
Seniors who are aged between 50 to 60 years should regularly get themselves screened for cancer. There are three different tests that are performed for colon cancer, each having its own regular schedule. Cancer is treatable if caught in the early stages. However, it often goes undetected until later stages.Moreover, while women should be screened for breast cancer regularly, men should get themselves screened for prostate cancer. The risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer increases as a person ages, make sure you do not neglect your health.
Women should also have pap smears until the doctors advised otherwise, because older women can still develop cervical cancer.
- Bone Density TestsBone Density Tests
After you have crossed 65 years of age, it is a good idea to start getting regular density scans. As we grow old, our bones can become brittle as they lose density. This makes seniors more prone to fracture and broken bones. This is especially dangerous for those who may suffer a hip fracture. Hip fracture in seniors can result in permanent disability or even death in certain cases. Cholesterol Screenings
Another test that should be a part of your health regimen is cholesterol screenings. Similar to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels often go unnoticed. This is because people living with high cholesterol do not feel tired, sluggish, or any other symptom. However, having high cholesterol levels can lead to an array of medical conditions including stroke, heart attack, and other vascular problems.Blood Sugar
Seniors should also get their blood sugar tested regularly as high blood sugar is an indicator of diabetes. Diabetes in seniors can lead to serious health problems including damage to the organs, loss of limbs, and even death.With Patients Choice Mobile Primary Care, patients receive the highest quality primary care in their own homes. Everything from routine check-ups to laboratory work, EKGs, ultrasound, and X-rays, are provided in-home.
Want to learn more about our at-home laboratory analysis service? Reach out to our experienced primary care physicians.