Health checks by age: what to know in your 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s
From blood pressure and cholesterol to cancer screening and medication reviews, here’s how to stay on top of your health at every age.
Getty
From blood pressure and cholesterol to cancer screening and medication reviews, here’s how to stay on top of your health at every age.
You might feel perfectly healthy at 60, but when was your blood pressure last checked? Are you up to date with your cancer screening? And could any of your regular medications do with a review?
It’s easy to put these things off when life is busy, but some conditions that become more common with age, including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, can develop without obvious symptoms. While there’s no automatic NHS health MOT when you hit certain milestone birthdays, there are checks and screening programmes that can help identify potential problems early.
As Hampshire-based NHS and private GP Dr James Hubbard explains, getting older doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you enjoy.
“It’s good to remember that, if you look after yourself, you could still be doing the things you love now in ten years’ time,” he says.
Each decade brings different health priorities, but age is only part of the picture. Knowing which checks are available, recognising changes and raising concerns early can help you stay well for longer.
Your 50s are a good time to take stock of your health, even if you feel perfectly well. High blood pressure, raised cholesterol and type 2 diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms, so knowing your numbers can help you understand your risk and spot changes early.
“It’s really vital that you do all the basics,” says Dr Hubbard. He highlights blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and blood sugar, urging people to pay attention to their readings rather than assume everything is fine because they feel healthy.
In England, eligible people aged 40 to 74 are offered a free NHS Health Check every five years. It assesses your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, and can help identify whether lifestyle changes or treatment could reduce it.
Your 50s are also an important time for cancer screening. Bowel cancer screening is offered every two years from age 50 in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland it currently starts at 60. Women are routinely invited for breast screening from 50. Responding to invitations is important, as screening can detect signs of disease before you notice symptoms.
Find out when you’re next due an NHS Health Check, check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and make sure you’re responding to screening invitations.
By your 60s, you may already know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The next step is understanding what they mean for your overall risk of heart attack or stroke, and whether there’s anything you can do to reduce it.
“I’m really pro cholesterol control,” says Dr Hubbard. He explains that rather than looking at cholesterol in isolation, your GP can assess your overall risk using a tool such as QRISK, which takes account of factors including your age, blood pressure, cholesterol and medical history. This can help guide a discussion about whether a statin or other measures might be appropriate.
Screening remains important in your 60s, too. In England, Scotland and Wales, bowel cancer screening continues every two years until age 74; in Northern Ireland it is offered from 60 to 74.
Breast screening is also routinely offered to women in their 60s across the UK, usually every three years.
But if you develop a new symptom or notice a change in your health, don’t automatically put it down to getting older, seek medical advice.
There is another important screening milestone at 65. In England, men are invited for a one-off abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening scan in the year they turn 65.
Ask your GP about your cardiovascular risk if you’re unsure what your blood pressure and cholesterol readings mean and discuss whether any changes or treatment could help protect your health.
By your 70s, it’s worth looking beyond individual test results and considering what will help you stay well and independent. Are you still taking medicines you need? Have you noticed changes in your balance, strength or mobility? And do you have any risk factors for osteoporosis?
Medication reviews become particularly important as prescriptions build up over time. Dr Hubbard warns against taking medicines you no longer need, while recognising that preventative treatments can play an important role in keeping you well.
“There’s a risk of polypharmacy,” he says. “It’s important to take the medicines that keep you well, but also to review whether you’re still taking drugs for conditions you no longer need treatment for.”
Keeping active and maintaining muscle strength can help you stay independent, while looking after your bone health becomes increasingly important. If you have a family history of osteoporosis or have had a fracture, ask your GP whether you need further assessment.
Dr Hubbard also raises questions about the potential impact of weight-loss injections on bone health at this age. Significant weight loss can affect muscle mass. The implications for bone health are an area worth discussing with your prescribing clinician, particularly if you already have risk factors for osteoporosis.
Ask your GP or pharmacist to review your medication, check which screening programmes you’re eligible for and raise any concerns about your strength, mobility or bone health.
Being in your 80s doesn’t mean you have to slow down or give up the things you enjoy. Dr Hubbard points out that many people remain active well into later life.
“There are lots of very healthy 80-plus-year-olds,” he says, highlighting those who still play tennis and travel extensively.
Technology may also help flag up certain health problems. Dr Hubbard points to atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke. It can show up on an Apple Watch, which alerts the wearer to an irregular rhythm that may indicate AF. However, a smartwatch cannot diagnose the condition, so any alert should be followed up with a medical professional.
If you’ve had a fall, lost weight without trying or are finding it harder to eat well, speak to your GP. Maintaining muscle strength and getting enough nutrition can become more challenging as you age, so it’s worth raising concerns early rather than assuming they’re an inevitable part of getting older.
It’s also important to review your medication regularly and report any new or persistent symptoms. Don’t dismiss changes in your health as simply a sign of ageing, your GP can help assess what’s happening and whether you need further investigation.
Ask your GP or pharmacist for a medication review and make an appointment if you’ve noticed changes in your balance, strength, appetite or general health.
Private health MOTs promise a detailed picture of your health, often through a package of blood tests and other checks, but are they worth paying for if you’re feeling well?
Dr Hubbard urges people to think carefully before paying for tests they may not need.
“You could ask the GP for it. Normally, the GP would do it if you have good reason,” he says.
The costs can also add up quickly. “If you do five or six blood tests privately, they’ll often be £350,” Dr Hubbard explains. He adds that some tests can be expensive compared with their cost to the NHS, although the exact comparison will depend on which tests are included.
More testing isn’t always better. A test can flag up something that turns out not to be a problem, potentially leading to anxiety and further investigations. Dr Hubbard is particularly wary of tests being offered without a clear medical reason.
“It’s not worth doing loads of unnecessary tests,” he says.
That doesn’t mean private care has no value. Dr Hubbard recognises that people can struggle to get NHS appointments and that private consultations can offer the opportunity to feel listened to. He describes the two systems increasingly working together, with patients moving between them as needed: “It’s now a collaborative model rather than you just see private. People dip in and out. And I think that’s great.”
If you’re considering a private health MOT, ask what each test is designed to detect, whether it’s appropriate for you and what would happen if the result were abnormal. Most importantly, would the result change your treatment or simply lead to more tests?
A conversation with your GP about your concerns may help you work out which checks you actually need before spending money on a package.
Screening programmes vary across the UK, so check the guidance for where you live.
The ages below are a quick guide, but there are some important differences between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you have symptoms, contact your GP rather than waiting for a screening invitation.
England, Scotland and Wales: ages 50-74, every two years.
Northern Ireland: ages 60-74, every two years.
Routine breast screening is generally offered from 50, around every three years, but the upper invitation age and arrangements after 70 vary between UK nations.
In Scotland it is routinely offered to women aged 50-70; Wales routinely invites women from 50 up to their 70th birthday; and Northern Ireland invites women aged 50-70.
Screening is offered from 25 to 64, but intervals differ. Wales offers five-yearly routine screening, while Northern Ireland currently invites those aged 25-49 every three years and those aged 50-64 every five years.
Eligible people in England, ages 40-74, every 5 years
Your GP or local council should invite you. It checks cardiovascular health and is for people without certain existing conditions.
Check NHS Health Check guidance
Men are routinely offered a one-off AAA ultrasound at 65 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as in England; eligible older men who missed screening can also request it under the schemes in those three nations.
In some areas of England, people aged 55-74 who currently smoke or used to smoke may be invited for a lung health check. It is not available everywhere yet.
The check assesses risk; only people assessed as being at higher risk may be offered a CT scan.
Buy direct and start a new Saga Health Insurance policy by the end of 10 December 2026 to get your first 3 months free. T&Cs apply.
Underwritten by Bupa Insurance Limited.
Trusted advice, practical tips, exclusive interviews, puzzles, competitions and more every week. Sign up to our free newsletter.
Find out about Saga’s walking holidays here…
Saga’s walking holidays are perfect for exploring Europe’s stunning destinations on foot. They’re suitable for all fitness levels and offer a well-balanced mix of guided walks and relaxation.
Are you retiring at the wrong age? The best age to retire for your body, brain, happiness and pocket.
Everything you need to know about the lung infection, and how you could be ill with “walking” pneumonia without realising it.
Strong calves for a strong mind: how they support our circulation and brain health, with easy moves to strengthen yours at home.
Our GP Dr Mark Porter explains what can cause itchy skin, which is a common problem as we get older.
Worried you’ve morphed into Victor Meldrew? Find out how to battle that bad mood, and what to do if you’re stuck with a grouchy loved one.
The benefits of heat and cold therapy, and how Nordic bathing won over our nervous writer.
From breathlessness to swollen ankles, a cardiologist explains the warning signs to look out for.
Everything you’re entitled to this year, when you can have it, and the gaps that remain.
Pilates for back pain – what to do if you are suffering, and five gentle exercises that could help.
Dizziness or vertigo: a sensation of spinning, can stop us doing everyday things for fear of falling. Try these tips to stop feeling dizzy
You don’t have to put up with bladder leaks. We try out the latest pelvic floor gadgets for men and women.
Learn how to spot cataract warnings – and when it’s time to consider surgery.
