After age 40, the body gradually begins to change. Even when everything looks normal on the outside, problems such as high blood pressure, excess cholesterol, diabetes, or declining kidney function can develop silently within the body. Many of these problems produce no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. That is why regular health checks become important in middle age. There is, however, no universal medical guideline stating that everyone must undergo the same four tests once they turn 40. Alongside age, a doctor determines which tests are necessary based on family history, weight, diet, physical activity, smoking, prior illnesses, and other risk factors.
1. Lipid profile (cholesterol and fat levels in the blood)
Cholesterol is a substance the body needs. It plays a role in cell structure and various physiological functions. But when cholesterol levels in the blood rise too high, fat can build up in the arteries and form plaque, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol usually produces no clear symptoms and can only be detected through a blood test. A lipid profile typically evaluates total cholesterol, HDL (or “good” cholesterol), LDL, and triglycerides, among other blood fat levels. HDL plays a relatively protective role for the heart, while high LDL can increase the risk of fat buildup in the arteries. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, reducing excess saturated fat, weight control, and avoiding smoking can help lower cholesterol and heart-disease risk. In some cases, cholesterol-lowering medication may also be needed on a doctor’s advice.
2. Kidney function
The kidneys perform several vital functions, including removing waste from the body, maintaining the balance of water and salt, and regulating blood pressure. Even when kidney function declines, symptoms often don’t appear at first. A serum creatinine blood test is an important way to assess kidney function. Based on this result, doctors typically calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which indicates how well the kidneys are filtering blood. Beyond blood creatinine, the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) is also important for detecting and monitoring kidney disease.
Kidney testing becomes especially important for people with a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or kidney disease. Detecting kidney disease at an early stage creates an opportunity to slow its progression. People at risk should therefore undergo regular kidney function testing as advised by their doctor.
3. Long-term blood sugar assessment
Diabetes is now a major health problem worldwide. Prolonged high blood sugar can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, eye problems, and nerve damage. HbA1c is an important blood test that gives an indication of a person’s average blood glucose level over the past few months. The test measures glycated haemoglobin, formed when glucose in the blood binds to haemoglobin. It is used not only to monitor blood sugar control in people already diagnosed with diabetes, but also, in appropriate circumstances, to diagnose type 2 diabetes. However, HbA1c alone cannot diagnose diabetes in everyone; certain specific physical conditions may require other blood tests. Regular screening is especially important for people who are overweight, physically inactive, have a family history of diabetes, have high blood pressure, or have a history of elevated blood sugar. A healthy diet, regular exercise, weight control, and reducing excess sugar and refined carbohydrates can help lower the risk of diabetes.
4. Blood pressure measurement
The fourth important item isn’t actually a blood test at all — it’s measuring blood pressure. Regular blood pressure checks are extremely important after age 40, since high blood pressure can often persist for a long time without any symptoms. Left uncontrolled for a long period, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other complications. Generally, a reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher when measured at a health center or doctor’s office, or 135/85 mmHg or higher when measured at home, is considered a possible indication of high blood pressure. A single high reading is not usually enough for a final diagnosis; repeated measurements or 24-hour ambulatory monitoring may be needed if necessary. Eating less salt, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding excess alcohol are important for controlling blood pressure. Medication may be needed as well, on a doctor’s advice.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report