The list of absolutely necessary tests for 50-year-olds is not long at all, but it is important. It includes tests that allow you to detect diseases that develop imperceptibly. They do not cause pain, but they wreak havoc on the body and can be life-threatening.

Hypertension, coronary artery disease, glaucoma and cervical cancer often make themselves felt when it is too late. That is why it is so important to find out about their existence as soon as possible and start treatment.

Blood pressure measurement

When:once a year.

Purpose:prevention of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Correct result:120/80 mm Hg -139/89 mm Hg.

Preparation:you need to rest for a while before taking your blood pressure.

Price:PLN 7-10.

Lipidogram

When:every 5 years with correct values. People with previously diagnosed high cholesterol or with coronary heart disease risk factors - smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol (

Purpose:to assess the risk of atherosclerosis and its consequences. The lipidogram measures the concentration of triglycerides and cholesterol. Their abnormal concentration is one of the main factors in the development of atherosclerosis (apart from hypertension and smoking). Cholesterol contributes to this to a greater extent. Its total concentration is measured and in fractions: LDL - promoting atherosclerotic changes in the arteries, and HDL - protecting them against them.

Preparation:the test is performed on an empty stomach (the last meal 9-12 hours before blood sampling).

Price:PLN 26-55.

Testing Glucose

When:every 3 years, if the last result was correct. People whose test results indicate a risk of diabetes, are obese, have diabetics among their relatives, should repeat the test every 1-2 years. This also applies to women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or have had a child over 4 kg.

Purpose:to detect pre-diabetes and diabetes, a disease that damages many organs and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis.Correct result:less than 90 mg / dl

Preparation:as for lipidogram.

Price:PLN 9-15.

Colonoscopy

When:every 10 years if the result was correct. When a close family member is diagnosed with colorectal cancer or polyps before the age of 60 - every 5 years.

Purpose:colorectal cancer prevention.

Preparation:the day before, drink approx. 4 liters of laxative solution. You must not eat anything until the examination, and also drink on the day of the colonoscopy.

Correct result:no polyps and no neoplastic lesions.

Price:350-750 PLN, depending on whether the test is performed under general anesthesia.

Ophthalmological examination

When:At least every 5 years, preferably every 2 years.

Purpose:Early detection of glaucoma which, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Basic diagnostics includes eye fundus examination (assesses the optic nerve disc) and eye pressure measurement.

Correct results:fundus examination - the image of the optic nerve and blood vessels shows no changes; pressure test inside the eye - 9-20 mg Hg.

Preparation:20 minutes before the fundus examination, the doctor should instill a preparation that dilates the pupil, because it facilitates the diagnosis of eyesight not only for glaucoma, but also for other eye diseases, e.g. macular degeneration. Note: for 3-4 hours after applying the pupil dilating drops to the eye, visual acuity deteriorates.

Price:fundus examination - PLN 50-60, intraocular pressure measurement - PLN 25-50.

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