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Steps to take to be healthy: men ages 65 and over

You should visit your doctor often, even if you feel healthy. The purpose of these visits is to: screen for health care issues, rate your risk for future health problems, support a healthy life and make sure you have all your shots. Help you get to know your doctor

Blood pressure: Men in this age group should be checked every year and those who are at higher risk for high blood pressure.

Persons at higher risk include those who have high-normal blood pressure, those who are overweight or obese, and African Americans.1

Cholesterol testing: If you are a man older than 65, you might need more frequent testing depending on your risks. Check with your doctor.

Men with a history of heart attacks or strokes require regular cholesterol testing to monitor the effectiveness of their treatments.2

Diabetes (High blood sugar): Every 3 years, based on your risks.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (brittle bones): All men 70 years and older should be tested.3

Prostate cancer testing:

Prostate cancer testing: It is for men who are high-risk. The rate you need to watch this will depend on your health and family past. Talk to your doctor about this test.

Colon cancer testing:

Colon cancer testing: Testing is recommended up through age 75. People aged 76 to 85 should talk to their doctor about whether continuing testing is right for them. Most people older than 85 may no longer need screening.

Talk with your doctor about which tests are best for you and how often testing should be done.4

Immunizations: At age 65 or older, get a pneumococcal shot if you have never had one, or if it has been more than 5 years since you had the shot. Men in this age range should also have an yearly flu shot, tetanus boosters (each 10 years), and a shingles or herpes (cold sores) zoster shot after age 50.5

Hearing test:

Hearing test: Older adults go through age-related hearing loss often, so be sure to have your hearing checked if you have any hearing loss warnings.

Eyesight exam icon

Eye exam: Men who are healthy and have no symptoms of vision problems, should have an eye exam as follows.

  • Every 1 to 2 years after age 65.

Have your eyes checked more often if you have any risks. An eye exam helps find eye problems at their earliest when they are most treatable.6

1 USPSTF. Accessed on 3/26/20; 2 Mayo Clinic. Accessed on 3/26/20; 3 American Family Physician. Accessed on 3/26/20; 4 American Cancer Society. Accessed on 3/26/20; 5 CDC. Accessed on 3/26/20; 6 Mayo Clinic. Accessed on 3/26/20.

Posted on May 30th, 2017 and last modified on April 18th, 2023.

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