40s and 50s

As men move into their 40s, the importance of proper diet and nutrition takes center stage, as the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiac complications increase. During your 40s and 50s, regular wellness check-ups become even more important.

While every person is different, and health care is personalized depending on your individual situation, here are some general recommendations based on your age.

Review With Your Doctor

  • Diet, exercise and sleep habits.
  • Chronic physical concerns such as knee, back or joint pain.
  • Smoking, alcohol consumption and other substance-use habits.
  • Cardiovascular concerns.  
  • Stress management and mental health.


Immunizations

  • Flu Shot
  • Tetanus booster, every 10 years
  • Shingrix (shingles) vaccine at age 50
  • COVID vaccine, as recommended


Screening Tests (Discuss with your provider which screening tests are appropriate for you)

  • Blood Pressure.  Blood pressure measures the force your organs and blood vessels experience, and is a strong predictor of heart attack and stroke risk.
  • Testicular Self Check. Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in young men aged 15-35 and is usually detected by a personal self-check. 
  • Blood Cholesterol Levels. This simple blood test measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood to inform your risk of plaque buildup in your arteries. If you have a family history of diabetes, heart disease, or other cardiac risk factors, you may need to be screened more often.
  • Type 2 Diabetes.  The A1C is a blood test that tells you what your average blood glucose levels have been for the past 2 to 3 months. It measures how much glucose is attached to your red blood cells and is used to diagnose diabetes.
  • Colorectal Screening. Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is the best test and the only one recommended if you’ve had polyps; if you haven’t, then a stool test may suffice. Talk to your provider about which test is right for you.
  • Lung Cancer Screening. Lung cancer screening is a process that uses a low dose CT (LDCT) scan to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people with a high risk of lung cancer.
  • Electrocardiogram. Electrocardiogram is a non-invasive and painless medical test that detects cardiac (heart) abnormalities by measuring the electrical activity generated by the heart as it contracts. Talk to your doctor to determine if this test is right for you.
  • Prostate Cancer Screening. Regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) may be recommended based on your personal risk profile for prostate cancer.  
  • Depression screening.  Screening for depression is the cornerstone of early recognition, diagnosis, and management.
  • Hearing tests. Hearing screens are easy, non painful tests to measure hearing loss.
  • Visual exams. There are many components of standard visual acuity tests including the ability to discern the shapes and details of the things you see, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.


Wellness Checks

  • Schedule a wellness check, to cover everything above, with your primary care provider every 2 years

Quick Links

TVC 1st Care

TVC 1st Care Center

Office: 1101 Noble Street
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, 7 Days Per Week
Phone Number:  (907) 458-2682

TVC Internal Medicine

TVC Internal Medicine

Office:  1001 Noble Street, 1st Floor
Hours: 8:00 – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number:  (907) 459-3570

TVC Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)

TVC Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)

Office: 1405 Kellum, Suites 101 and 301
Hours: 8:00 – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number:  (907) 458-2619

Plastic Surgery

FHP Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Office: 1919 Lathrop Street, Suite 205
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, M-F
Phone Number:  (907) 458-2680

Porter Heart & Vascular Center

Porter Heart & Vascular Center

Office: 1650 Cowles Street, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Main Entrance
Hours: 8:00 – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number:  (907) 458-6450

TVC Urology

TVC Urology

Office:  1650 Cowles Street, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, South Tower Entrance, 4th Floor
Hours: 8:00 – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number:  (907) 458-2630


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