Important Medical Check-Ups Through Your Retirement Period

We all know the importance of health screenings. Yet, in the fast paced world we live in, it is easy to take our health for granted. 

While we may be able to get away with skipping health check-ups when we are young, our need for regular medical testing increases as we get older and become more susceptible to illnesses. 

These four simple medical tests come highly recommended and should be part of an older adult’s annual health exam:

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1. Blood pressure tests

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can sneak up on you if you don’t take action. It is known as a “silent killer” as symptoms usually do not show up until it’s too late. According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, hypertension affects over 6 million Malaysians. 

When not managed properly, hypertension can cause damage to your kidneys, heart, brain and eyes. It also increases your risk for stroke or heart attack. This is why it’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

2. Blood tests

Regular blood testing is crucial to help keep track of your overall physical well-being. A small sample of blood is usually drawn from a vein in your arm using a needle. Sometimes, a finger prick might also be used. Most blood tests don’t require any special preparations, although you may be asked to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test. 

There are various types of blood tests but the following two are the most common: 

• Blood sugar test - to check your blood sugar levels to determine if you have diabetes or are prediabetic. Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend further blood testing to confirm your diagnosis. These additional tests include the HbA1c and glucose tolerance test.    
• Lipid profile - to check your healthy and unhealthy cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides. This helps determine your risk for heart disease.   

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3. Vision and hearing tests

As we age, our vision and hearing typically starts to deteriorate as well.  

Regular eye tests will help monitor your eye health by checking for degenerative conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. Like hypertension, these eye diseases typically do not show any symptoms until it’s too late. So, early detection is important to prevent further visual impairment or total blindness.   

Hearing loss happens when there is a problem with one or more parts of your ear. Your doctor will recommend doing either a sound test, a speech and word recognition test or a tympanometry, which checks your eardrum movements.   

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4. Dental examinations

Elderly people are more prone to oral health problems such as gum disease, root decay, darkened teeth and tooth loss. Those who have uncontrolled diabetes are also at a higher risk for some of these dental problems due to the high level of glucose in the saliva which helps bacteria grow in the mouth. Gum disease may also affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Certain medications can also have a negative impact on dental health. 

Regular dental exams can help prevent and / or manage these oral health issues.  

As you approach retirement, the need to get proactive about your health becomes more crucial. Visit your doctor regularly, even if you feel healthy. This saves you time and money while potentially increasing your lifespan through early detection of any life threatening health conditions, which in turn boosts your chances for treatment and cure. 

Also, ensure that your medical health plan is up to date. Don't let high health care expenses derail your golden years. If you don’t have a medical plan yet, it’s not too late. Browse here for our range of medical insurance.