45-49 year old health checks
Middle age can present many health challenges for people.
It’s beneficial to have a relationship with a clinic that knows you and your medical history and has a good sense of your current health. The 45 – 49-year-old health check is particularly important if you haven’t been prioritising your health or if you have been unlucky enough to develop a chronic illness.
45-49-year-old health checks are recommended by most medical bodies and certainly by most GPs.
What is a 45-49 year old health check and why do I need one?
A 45-49 year old health check involves assessing risks of developing chronic diseases in future, while also assessing your current state of health. Anyone who has risk factors for developing a chronic disease is strongly encouraged to book an appointment.
Risk factors include:
1. Family history: if others in your family have developed chronic diseases, this may increase your chances of developing one as well
2. Biomedical factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight – all increase your risk of developing chronic disease. If they have not yet been identified, a health check can help to identify these risk factors
3. Lifestyle: poor diet, excessive drinking, leading a sedentary lifestyle or smoking all increase your risk of developing a chronic health condition.
What should I expect at a 45-49-year-old health check?
The first portion of the appointment typically lasts 30 minutes and will take place with the nurse.
Your nurse will obtain a comprehensive history, ensure your bloodwork, immunisations and various screenings are up to date. The last 10-15 minutes is spent with the doctor (and sometimes the nurse) to address anything outstanding.
But I’m healthy. Do I need a health check?
If you feel you are at a healthy point in your life, this can be the best time to go and see your General Practice team. We use the information as a benchmark, if your health starts to veer from this point, we have a map to navigate back towards the healthiest you! Additionally, health checks often include bloodwork and other screening tests. Even though you may feel healthy, some of these tests may indicate otherwise.
Book your health check today.