Men's Health Guideline Age 70+

Recommended Evaluations For Healthy Men Over 70
There are many evaluations that should be performed after people reach the age of 70 in order to assure optimal health. The recommendations assume that evaluations and vaccinations during previous decades were kept up to date.

Tests to be performed every 6-12 months:

• Dental exam
• Useful to detect dental caries and gingivitis

Tests to be performed every year:

• History and Physical Examination
• Useful to detect heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and complications
• Blood pressure
• Useful to detect hypertension
• Height and Weight
• Useful to calculate BMI and assess cardiovascular disease risk, such as stroke and heart attack.
• Stool guaiac
• Useful to detect colorectal cancer
• PSA testing
• Useful to detect prostate cancer
• Influenza vaccine
• Useful in helping to prevent influenza
• Glaucoma test
• Useful to detect glaucoma
• Functional status
• Useful to detect physical debility and risk for injury

Tests to be performed every 1-2 years:

• Hearing test
• Useful to detect a hearing deficit
• Urinalysis
• Useful to detect kidney disease

Tests to be performed every 1-3 years:

• Thyroid profile
• Useful to detect hypothyroidism
• Vision test
• Useful to detect a vision problem or retinal disease

Tests to be performed every 2-3 years:

• EKG
• Useful to detect heart disease

Tests to be performed every 4-5 years:

• Cholesterol panel
• Useful to assess cardiovascular disease risk, such as stroke and heart attack

Tests to be performed every 5 years:

• Blood glucose
• Useful to detect diabetes
• Complete Blood Count
• Useful to detect anemia
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Useful to detect colon cancer

Tests to be performed every 10 years:

• TD booster
• Useful to prevent tetanus infection
• Choose from one of the following approaches that are used to detect colon cancer:
• Sigmoidoscopy and Barium enema
• Colonoscopy

These testing recommendations should be considered as minimum screening in those without symptoms. There may be differences in opinion on various test recommendations due to lack of definitive information on each recommended test and to variances in perceived significance of some of the supporting literature.

This information is provided as a general guide only. We urge you to discuss these tests with your personal physician.

Last Updated: Dec 22, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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