Father’s Day: 8 health tests for men over 50

Turning 50 is a milestone, especially when it comes to your health. On the occasion of Father’s Day, it may be worth gifting your dad a few essential medical tests for men over 50. Getting medical tests can help to improve quality of life as  any underlying problem can be detected before it escalates into something serious.

Important medical tests for men over 50

Here’s a list of tests that should be part of any health checkup for men over 50:

1. Prostate-specific antigen or PSA test

Prostate cancer, the second most frequent malignancy in men in the world, is responsible for 3.8 percent of all deaths caused by cancer in men, as per a 2019 research published in the World Journal of Oncology. Irrespective of age, all men are at a risk of prostate cancer, but the chances increase with old age. Men who are 50 years or above are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, says internal medicine expert Dr Shuchin Bajaj. PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA, protein made by the prostate, in a blood sample. A high PSA level may be due to prostate cancer.

2. Colonoscopy

If your father is 50 years or older, the doctor may ask them to undergo a colonoscopy. He or she may ask your dad to get the test done earlier if he has certain character traits such as Inflammatory Bowel Disorder or a family history of colon cancer.

3. Blood pressure screening

Every adult needs to get their blood pressure checked regularly with the help of a sphygmomanometer. For people aged over 50, hypertension or high blood pressure can be especially dangerous, as it increases the chances of developing coronary artery disease. It can lead to life-threatening episodes such as heart attack and stroke, says the expert.

4. Lipid profile or cholesterol check

This is a simple blood test that helps to determine the lipid-protein or cholesterol content in the blood. If the levels of cholesterol are high, it can increase risk of heart disease. A cholesterol check needs to be done every five years.

5. Diabetes tests

A doctor may ask your father to get diabetes tests done several times a year if he has a high risk of diabetes. For those with a confirmed diabetes diagnosis, they may need to do an at-home blood glucose test more frequently. Another important diabetes and prediabetes test is the HbA1c test, which measures the amount of haemoglobin in the blood that is attached to glucose, says the expert.

6. Eye exam

Regular eye exams become more important as people reach 50. If your father wears glasses, it’s better to get him tested for any deterioration in the quality of their vision. Such exams can also help catch other eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma, that begin to develop as people grow older.

7. Calcium test

It is a blood test that measures calcium levels. It is not only used to detect problems with bones, but also teeth, kidneys, heart and nerve health, says Dr Bajaj.

8. Uric acid test

A urine test is done to measure the amount of uric acid, which is a chemical created when our body breaks down compounds known as purines This can help diagnose kidney stones, gout or monitor the effects of cancer treatments.

How can men stay healthy after turning 50?

Maintaining good health after turning 50 is all about a balanced approach. It includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and lifestyle modifications, says the expert.

• Exercise is essential for keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy, so try to do it for at least 30 minutes every day.
• A well-balanced diet full of colourful fruits, and vegetables along with lean proteins, and whole grains can help support overall health.
• Monitoring and managing weight and blood pressure is crucial.
• Quitting smoking.
• Staying mentally active.

Adopting these healthy habits can help men enhance their quality of life and maintain good health. But getting medical tests done can help detect and address potential health issues early.