Health screenings can feel like one of those “I’ll get to it later” tasks. But the truth is, staying ahead of potential health issues can make all the difference. Your body needs periodic check-ups to catch any early signs of trouble and the kind of health screenings you need can change as your get older.
So what should you be checking and when? Health needs change as we age, and screening guidelines evolve to match them. Let’s walk through what your check-up calendar should look like, decade by decade.
Health Screenings In Your 20s
High blood pressure, or hypertension, usually doesn’t have noticeable symptoms. Left unchecked, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. That’s why regular blood pressure screenings are crucial, especially for those over the age of 40.
Doctors recommend that adults over 18 have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years. If your reading is consistently 120/80 mm Hg or higher, it may be time to take action. The earlier hypertension is identified, the better chance you have of managing it with lifestyle changes or medication.
Blood Pressure Screening
High blood pressure (hypertension) often has no symptoms but can lead to serious health issues like heart disease or stroke down the line. This test involves a quick and painless arm cuff test during your doctor’s visit.
How often: At least once every 2 years if normal (less than 120/80 mm Hg); more frequently if higher.
Cholesterol Test (Lipid Panel)
Elevated cholesterol can start to build up in your arteries even in your 20s, especially if you smoke, are overweight, or have a family history of heart disease. You can expect a simple blood test after fasting for 8–12 hours.
How often: Once between ages 17–21, and then every 4–6 years if results are normal and you’re low-risk.
Blood Sugar (Glucose) Test
Early signs of insulin resistance or prediabetes can begin without noticeable symptoms, especially if you’re overweight or have a family history of diabetes. You’ll have to get a blood test, either fasting glucose or HbA1c.
How often: Every 3 years if you’re at risk; ask your doctor if you’re unsure.
Sexual Health
Regular screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recommended, especially if you have new partners. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing complications.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Women should begin Pap smears at age 21, repeating every three years if results are normal. This test detects precancerous changes in the cervix.
Health Screenings In Your 30s and 40s
Your 30s are the time to catch silent health issues that could snowball later if ignored. Screenings here are mostly routine, but highly valuable. On the other hand, your 40s are when disease risk starts to increase, especially for heart disease, cancers, and metabolic conditions. Screenings become more detailed and regular now.
On top of all the health screenings you may undergo in your 20s, you’ll have to check for extra conditions and certain difficulties that come with age.
Stay up to date with:
- Blood pressure (every year)
- Cholesterol (every 4–6 years or more frequently)
- Glucose (every 3 years or more if overweight or high risk)
- Pap/HPV tests (as per schedule)
- STI screenings (if sexually active)
Looking Out for Cancer
This is the point you should start looking out for cancer. These would be breast screenings for women, and prostate screenings for men. Some testing methods might just require a blood test, but being proactive with mammograms and x-rays can be helpful.
Additionally, colorectal cancer used to be considered a disease for older adults. But in recent years, there’s been a noticeable rise in cases among people in their 40s, which is why screening guidelines have shifted to start at age 45 for average-risk individuals. Stool-based tests include FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) and gFOBT (Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test), which check your stool for hidden blood. And a colonoscopy should be done every 10 years if no issues are found.
Eye Exams
Around this age, most people begin to experience presbyopia—that annoying shift in your ability to focus on close objects (hello, reading glasses). Even if you’ve never worn glasses before, you might find yourself squinting at your phone or pulling menus away at arm’s length.
Routine eye exams every 2 to 4 years are important because they don’t just check your vision—they screen for eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, which can begin silently and progress without pain or early symptoms.
Hearing Checks
Hearing loss in your 40s is often gradual and easy to overlook. You might just think people are mumbling more often or that your TV volume “just isn’t what it used to be.” But untreated hearing loss is more than just a minor annoyance—it’s been linked to cognitive decline and social withdrawal in later years.
A hearing test is quick and painless, and you only need to do it if you’re experiencing symptoms or have risk factors (e.g., loud job environments, frequent ear infections, family history of hearing loss).
Bone Health
Your 40s are when bone health quietly starts to decline, especially for women. Thanks to hormonal changes—especially the drop in estrogen leading up to menopause—bone density can decrease faster than you might expect.
This is where a DEXA scan (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) comes in. It’s a non-invasive scan that measures the density of your bones and checks for osteopenia (early bone thinning) or osteoporosis (more severe bone loss).
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally—but it often starts developing decades before any symptoms appear. That’s why your 40s are the perfect time to take a closer look at your overall heart risk, not just individual metrics like blood pressure or cholesterol. If you feel an uneasiness in your chest, getting a regular ECG can help you find some answers and give peace of mind.
Health Screenings In Your 50s and 60s
By the time you hit your 50s, health screenings aren’t just optional—they’re essential. These decades are when your risk for chronic diseases and silent health issues increases, even if you feel perfectly fine. Take every screening we’ve mentioned in decades past and you should have a good idea how optimal your health is.
Regular screenings such as colonoscopy, mammograms, bone density scans, and diabetes tests are still important to help detect silent problems before symptoms appear.
For men, prostate health require closer attention with a PSA test, especially if there’s a family history. Women should continue with cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, adjusting frequency based on previous results. Don’t overlook vision and hearing tests, which become more important as age-related changes set in. Heart health monitoring, including cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels, should also be routine by now.
Vaccinations at an Old Age
Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations. Your body’s natural defenses weaken with age, which makes infections not only more likely but potentially more serious. That’s why vaccines are an essential part of preventive care in this age group.
One of the most important vaccines at this stage is the shingles vaccine (Shingrix). Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster), and the risk increases significantly after age 50. Shingles can cause weeks of burning nerve pain, rashes, and complications like postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can linger for months or even years. Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine with a high efficacy rate, even in older adults, and is strongly recommended whether or not you’ve had shingles before.
Next, there’s the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Adults aged 65 and older should receive it, and younger adults with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic lung issues may also qualify earlier. Then there’s your annual flu shot, which helps prevent complications like bronchitis or pneumonia—especially dangerous as you get older.
Making Health Screenings a Habit Every Year
One of the smartest ways to keep your health in check is to make screenings a regular part of your routine. Something you do, not something you dread.
A simple trick? Schedule your health screenings around your birthday every year. This way, it becomes a familiar annual ritual, easy to remember without adding stress to your already busy life.
It’s also important not to wait until you feel something’s wrong before booking a screening. The tricky part is that many serious health conditions don’t give you early warning signs. For example, early-stage diabetes or some cancers often show no noticeable symptoms until they’ve progressed.
That’s exactly why screenings exist; to catch these issues before they develop into bigger problems. Early detection means earlier treatment, better outcomes, and often less invasive care. So, rather than viewing screenings as a hassle or an unpleasant chore, try to see them as an empowering step you’re taking to stay in control of your health. It’s about making small, manageable choices that pay off big in the long run.
Get Your Routine Health Screening at Dr Prevents
Regular health screenings are a proactive way to maintain your health and detect potential issues early. By staying informed and working closely with your doctor, you can tailor a screening schedule that fits your individual needs and lifestyle. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and taking charge of your health today can lead to a healthier tomorrow.
Talk to your doctor about a screening plan that’s right for you. At Dr Prevent’s, our health screenings are thorough and we have a plan affordable for any patient. Contact your nearest clinic in KL or Selangor today to get a consultation.