As we age, we need to really pay more attention to our health. Diet and activity play a part in determining the level of risk for certain diseases. Genetics and family history are also contributing factors that predispose us to higher risks of getting certain medical conditions which we cannot control. However, there are other factors that can contribute to disease that can be controlled by the choices we make in our lives. Staying healthy for women over age 40 is attainable if we take steps to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, stay mentally and physically active and watch our diets.
Here I will offer some tips for staying healthy if you are a woman over the age of 40.
Instructions
1. Have your blood pressure checked; it is one of the first signs for your doctor to detect a health problem. Women with normal blood pressure should have it tested every year. You could buy a home electronic blood pressure monitor so you can keep a record of your blood pressure. There are many types of monitors available, which vary in price and are readily available at drug stores. High blood pressure and hypertension are common in women over 40, especially women who are obese, and can cause many secondary medical complications. Controlling high blood pressure is a critical factor in preventing strokes.
2. Get an Ankle Brachial Index Test to look for potential Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). This is a condition that can impair circulation to the legs. The test is recommended for women over 40 with risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol levels or who have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
3. Have a bone density test to help diagnose osteoporosis. It is recommended for women over the age of 60 and for younger females in their postmenopausal stage with one or more risk factors for osteoporosis. Consult your own medical doctor if you feel that you have risk factors for osteoporosis. Women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. Loss of estrogen at menopause makes women vulnerable to this condition.
4. Have a cholesterol profile done to measure the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. It may also include lab readings of C-reactive protein, which is a new measure for heart risk. Women without heart disease should get tested every 5 years. Coronary heart disease is a particular concern for women, so eating healthy, reducing cholestrol intake by watching your diet, exercising regularly and reducing stress can lower the risks of getting these serious medical diseases.
5. Have regular mammogram screenings if you are over 40. This is an X-ray of the breast tissue and should be done once a year along with a clinical breast exam. Other techniques such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also used to screen the breasts for potential cancer should your doctor find it necessary.
6. Get a yearly Pap test in order for your doctor to examine cells for signs of cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. A female should have her first Pap test within three years of starting sexual activity or by age 21.
7. Get a TSH Test to screen for hypothyroidism or low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood. Thyroid hormones affect your body weight, temperature, energy, appetite and metabolism. About 10 percent of women suffer from an underactive thyroid.
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