MAINTAINING OPTIMAL HEALTH
Good health in your 40s is not just about disease diagnosis and treatment but also about embracing a lifestyle that promotes a healthy diet, physical activity, and mental well-being.
Regular exercise, for instance, can lessen the likelihood of chronic disease and enhance mental well-being.
Alcohol consumption should also be moderated, with no more than ten standard alcoholic drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day recommended.
Diet and Nutrition
A balanced diet is a cornerstone of good health. To achieve this, it is essential to:
- Restrict the consumption of sugar, saturated fat, and salt
- Prioritise the intake of fruits and vegetables
- Strive for two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables daily
Limiting sugar, saturated fat, and salt is vital in managing weight and lowering the risk of chronic diseases, contributing to overall well-being.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining good health in your 40s. We advise you to exercise moderate, exercise strength training in your routine, and minimise sedentary behaviour.
Moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, should be undertaken for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Including muscle-strengthening activities in your routine at least twice a week is recommended.
These activities can help improve your overall strength and fitness level.
If you’re at a desk, we believe it is essential to incorporate regular standing and movement to counteract the impact of extended sitting.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental well-being holds equal importance as physical health. We often see the 40s introduce significant mental health conditions like:
- depression
- anxiety
- burnout
- stress
To prevent this, we encourage regular exercise, boosting emotional well-being, paired with social support.
Social support also plays a crucial role in promoting mental well-being.
Maintaining balance in life’s physical, social, emotional, and mental aspects is essential in caring for mental well-being in your 40s.
Essential Health Checks for Your 40s
Your 40s mark a significant stage in health, as data suggests risk factors for various health problems increase.
However, regular health checks and proactive measures can effectively manage these risks.
The key lies in early detection and prevention, particularly in three main areas: cardiovascular health, cancer screenings, and diabetes prevention.
Cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart disease, account for a large number of deaths globally. We encourage keeping track of blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose, which can help in the early detection of heart disease.
We recommend a comprehensive health assessment for individuals aged 45 to 49 to evaluate the risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
In your 40s, cancer screenings – particularly for cervical cancer and skin cancers – become particularly important.
A routine pap test can help detect cervical cancer before symptoms appear, improving the effectiveness of the treatment.
We advise vigilance for bodily changes, such as new moles or lumps, which our health assessment covers.
Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular health checks form the backbone of preventive healthcare. Routine cardiovascular assessments are essential for identifying and controlling heart disease-related risk factors. Individuals aged 45 and above, or 30 and above if of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are recommended to undergo a Heart Health Check every two years.
This assessment includes a thorough examination and personalised risk evaluation to detect cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and kidney disease.
The frequency of blood pressure checks should be tailored based on the individual’s cardiovascular risk.
For individuals with high blood pressure, lifestyle modifications or the use of antihypertensive medication may be necessary.
Cholesterol checks, which measure HDL cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, should be undertaken every five years for individuals over 45.
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is crucial; regular exercise and a nutritious diet are recommended.
Cancer Screenings
Cancer screenings play a pivotal role in the early detection and prevention of various types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Any changes in the breast should prompt immediate consultation with a doctor.
For men, routine prostate cancer screening is not recommended unless there’s a family history or symptoms, in which case a digital rectal examination (DRE) may be advised.
Skin cancer screenings are also highly recommended, with a complete skin check advised every 6 to 12 months.
Preventive measures such as regular self-examinations for changes in colour, shape, and scaliness of skin spots and sun protection are crucial.
From age 50, faecal occult blood tests should be conducted every two years to screen for colorectal cancer, and a regular blood test can help monitor overall health.
Diabetes Prevention
Type 2 diabetes is a significant health concern that can be mitigated with regular monitoring of blood glucose levels and lifestyle modifications.
Individuals over 40 should undergo screening every three years to assess risk factors.
Those deemed high risk should have blood glucose tests every three years and annually if prior results indicated abnormalities.
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is assessed using the Australian type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool (AUSDRISK).
This tool evaluates the risk of developing the condition over the next five years and helps recommend interventions to prevent the onset of diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and consistent physical activity, is fundamental to this prevention strategy.
Sydney Health Services and Resources
Apart from personal lifestyle modifications and routine health checks, awareness of the available health services and resources is essential. Sydney offers a wide array of services, including:
- Public health clinics
- Private doctors providing comprehensive health assessments
- Community programs
- Support groups
These resources can help you maintain your health and well-being, and we encourage you to explore all options.
Public Health Clinics
Public health clinics in Sydney offer essential health checks for individuals in their 40s.
Clinics like the University Of New South Wales in Sydney CBD and The Charles Perkins Centre in Woolloomooloo are highly recommended.
These clinics provide free screening mammograms through BreastScreen and access to doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, and mental health services offered by diverse health professionals.
Scheduling an appointment involves contacting the reception to be placed in a callback queue.
Private Doctors and Premium Full Health Assessments
Premium complete health assessments with private doctors are available in Sydney for a more comprehensive health evaluation.
This includes our clinic, Executive Medicine, as well as Sydney Doctors, and SAN Health Assessments.
Our premium assessment offers access to cutting-edge technology, our expert medical team, and our comprehensive health assessment service.
Our assessment covers:
- Lifestyle factors
- Signs of skin cancer
- Mental health
- Heart problems
- Various cancers
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
- Assessments of heart disease risk
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol levels
- Checks for cervical, breast, and prostate issues
Costs vary based on the range of services and optional tests you request.
Support Groups and Community Programs
Support groups and community programs play a significant role in promoting health and providing assistance for various health concerns.
Medibank offers mental health and well-being support options for eligible members through the Medibank 24/7 Nurse Phone Service and the 24/7 Medibank Mental Health Phone Support line. These services are designed to provide accessible support and assistance.
Diet and nutrition programs such as Nutrition Australia, Live Life Well @ School, and NEST (Nutrition Education Skills Training) are also available.
Organisations such as Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) offer resources to those seeking support for diabetes prevention and management.
Support groups like Heart Support Australia and various cardiac rehab programs for cardiovascular health concerns exist.
Common Risk Factors and How to Address Them
Beyond health checks and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, understanding the common risk factors for health issues in your 40s is equally essential.
This includes genetic family history, lifestyle choices, and other risk factors.
Family History
Family history can significantly influence health risks in your 40s.
A detailed understanding of your family’s health history can aid in identifying a potential higher risk for developing certain conditions based on familial medical history.
Collecting family health history effectively involves discussing with family members, inquiring about their health status, and documenting the details.
A private doctor can utilise this family history during a premium full health assessment to identify individual health risks and develop appropriate lifestyle or medical interventions.
Lifestyle Choices
Lifestyle choices can significantly contribute to health issues.
Smoking, for example, can exacerbate a range of health conditions, and quitting can significantly improve health outcomes.
Excessive alcohol consumption can result in various complications, including arrhythmias, infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes, neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, and injuries.
Addressing a poor diet is also crucial in maintaining good health. Making healthy food choices can uphold good health during this life stage.
In Sydney, individuals in their 40s can access public health clinics, private doctors for complete health assessments, and community programs and support groups to meet their health needs. These resources provide a variety of options for maintaining good health.