Women entering their 40s will be welcomed by their doctor with tests and screenings. As much as we hate all the extra testing it’s crucial to keeping our body’s healthy. As we age our bodies change and we become more susceptible to certain conditions and diseases. By screening for these conditions we can prevent them from becoming worse or get rid of them entirely.
Your doctor will be your number one resource during this time. He or she will follow the guidelines set by experts in cancer, heart disease, and many other areas to decide when is the best time to test. The best thing a woman can do is be prepared with questions for her doctor and learn as much as she can about her health and how she can proactively care for herself.
With all this in mind, below we cover the medical tests women over 40 must get and what they can expect from the test.
Blood Pressure Screening
Your blood pressure is the amount of pressure it takes for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. As you age, your blood pressure tends to increase as well. High blood pressure puts you at a higher risk for stroke, heart attack, and a slew of other health conditions, making this one important (and easy) test that women over 40 should get.
The American Heart Association tells us that if our blood pressure is normal, less than 120mmHg/80mmHg, then we should have it checked every two years. However, if your blood pressure is higher than normal, you should get it checked more often. Thankfully, high blood pressure can be managed with medication and simple lifestyle changes.