Medical tests and screenings to schedule as you age

Medical tests screen for serious health problems, and detecting them early is key. Here is a detailed list of important medical tests you need, when to get them and why.

• Every: Two years in your doctor's office.
• Because: There are no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure. The only way to know you have it is with a formal test.

• Every: Every five years after 35; age 20 if you have a family history of heart disease, or smoke.
• Because: High cholesterol levels are one of the top markers for heart disease in the present or future.

• Every: At least once beginning at age 65; earlier depending on your risk for osteoporosis.
• Because: Osteoporosis is a silent disease in which bones become thin and filled with holes.

• Every: Three years beginning at age 45; more often or earlier if you're overweight or at risk for diabetes.
• Because: To provide an early warning sign of high blood sugar levels, which could represent an increased risk for diabetes.

• Every: 5 to 10 years for rectal exam; 10 years for colonoscopy.
• Because: It can find polyps that could turn into colon cancer. Doctors can remove the polyps during the test.

• Every: One time only between age 65 and 75 if you have ever smoked.
• Because: It provides an early warning sign of a very dangerous condition in which the aortic artery becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.

• Every: Five years beginning at age 35.
• Because: The signs of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) mimic those of middle age: fatigue, weight gain, heavy periods, depression. A blood test is the only way to know if your levels are normal.

• Every: Three years beginning at age 20; annually beginning at age 40.
• Because: Years you spent working on a good tan can come back in the form of skin cancer.

• Every: Once every 10 years until age 50; then once every three years.
• Because: You're often the last to notice you're losing your hearing. Regular testing will provide an early heads up.

• Every: At least once from ages 20–29; at least two exams from ages 30–39; then every two to four years until age 65; annually thereafter.
• Because: The exam should test your vision and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration.