Men's Health Tips: Ways to stay healthy at any age

Knowing what to expect at checkups and why they matter is a good start.

Many men report they don’t go to the doctor and don’t feel like they need to. In this article we talk about what to expect at routine checkups and why they are important. We also talk about daily habits that seem small, but make a big difference for men’s health (and anyone’s).

If you are thinking about a man in your life, this is for you. If you are a man who does not want to go to the doctor, this is for you too.

Here are a few questions he, they, or you might ask and answers to help guide you.

Do I really need a checkup every year?

The short answer is yes. Routine checkups can help you catch health problems early, protect you from serious disease, and help you stay healthy as you get older.

Getting yearly checkups, even while you are healthy, also helps build your medical history. The more your doctor knows about you, the clearer it is when something might be wrong.

Tip: Most health insurance plans, including Apple Health (Medicaid), Medicare, or plans you buy on Washington Healthplanfinder, cover yearly checkups at no out-of-pocket cost to you under preventive care.

What happens at a routine checkup?

At most visits, your doctor or nurse checks your blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs. They also do a “head-to-toe” exam of your skin, heart, lungs, and more.

They may also order lab work (like blood or urine samples) or recommend a follow up preventive cancer screening.

It’s also normal for your doctor or nurse to ask you questions about your sleep habits and stress to check on your mental health and well-being. Some of these questions might feel personal. Remember, your doctor uses this information to best care for you.

How do checkups change with age?

Routine preventive care visits for men are generally the same throughout life. As you get older, what can change is the focus of your care, along with recommended screenings and tests.

Here’s a quick look at which screenings and test you can expect based on your age:

20s and 30s

This is the time to build healthy habits and get routine checkups. It’s also important to try to understand how your health history and lifestyle might impact your health later.

Labs

Cancer screenings

Testicular (guidance on self-exams)

40s

Entering your 40s, the focus shifts more to catching health issues early with routine screenings. It’s also now more important to monitor your heart health, metabolism (how your body turns food into energy and uses it), and overall health.

Labs

Cancer screenings

Colorectal (begins at age 45)
Prostate (based on risk)

50s

After 50, routine screenings and healthy habits continue to help prevent or delay major conditions like cancer and heart disease.

Labs

Cholesterol
Blood glucose (A1c)
Liver and kidney function

Cancer screenings

Colorectal
Prostate
Lung (history of smoking)

60s

In your 60s, it pays to stay proactive with regular screenings. Continuing or restarting healthy habits can still help lower your risk for conditions like cancer and heart disease.

Labs

Cholesterol
Blood glucose (A1c)
Metabolic panel (chronic conditions)
Liver and kidney function
Other age-related labs as recommended

Cancer screenings

70s

By your 70s, the focus is independence, mobility, and only getting the screenings and labs that are right for you.

Labs

Cholesterol
Blood glucose (A1c) (based on health status)
Metabolic panel (chronic conditions)

Cancer screenings

Colorectal (until age 75)
Lung (history of smoking)
Prostate (based on past test results)

80+

In your 80s and beyond, care is about supporting your day-to-day well-being, comfort, and health goals.

Labs

Varies (used to manage conditions you know about)

Cancer screenings

Colorectal (based on past test results)

Routine checkups may have a different name depending on your age. To know what to schedule and why it matters take a look at Annual physical, annual checkup, wellness visit: What’s the difference?

Which daily habits matter most for men’s health?

Here’s a quick list of small everyday things anyone can do, that make a big difference.

Drink water

Sometimes it’s that simple. A cold glass of water can do a lot for you. Not a believer yet? Read Why is it important to drink water? 7 great things water does for us.

Sleep

It is easier said than done. If sleep is a challenge right now, we have a few tips for you in Be Well: Why a good night’s sleep is important to your health.

Eat vegetables

Multivitamins are great, but they can’t do what vegetables can do. Check out How to save money on groceries: 7 tips to spend less and eat healthy.

Check on your heart

No matter how healthy you are, your heart needs your support to stay strong and delay heart disease. See what we mean in Heart Health Tips: How lowering your blood pressure can help.

Lift weights safely

Strength training is an important part of men’s health. It supports metabolism, strengthens bones, improves heart health, and can benefit mental health. Learn more in our Health Information Library article: Healthy Muscles.

Need help finding drinking water, food, or a safe place to sleep? Look for resources in your neighborhood using CHPW’s Findhelp Resource Hub.

Maintaining your health as a man can be simple. Build everyday habits and stick with them. Routine checkups and ongoing healthy choices can help you or the men in your life catch problems early and stay healthy longer.