Ages 40–49, Men: what to watch for
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General information only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for a doctor.
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
Tests listed by sex refer to organs present at birth. Transgender and intersex people should ask a doctor which tests apply to them.
How the body typically changes
- Bones are usually at their thickest and strongest in early adult life. From around age 35, everyone gradually starts to lose bone, and after menopause falling oestrogen levels can make bone density drop quickly. Source
- Seeing things up close gets harder for everyone with age, usually after age 45. This normal change, called presbyopia, can mean holding reading material farther away, and it usually stops getting worse after about age 65. Source
- The prostate starts a second phase of growth around age 25 and keeps growing through life. Non-cancerous enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is the most common prostate problem after age 50, and it rarely causes symptoms before age 40. Source
- Hearing tends to decline with age: among adults aged 20 to 69 in the United States, age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss, and hearing loss is greatest at ages 60 to 69. (United States) Source
Main health risks
- Worldwide, most road traffic deaths are among people of working age, from 18 to 59. Source
- Testicular cancer is most common between ages 15 and 49, and it can affect anyone who has testicles. Source
- Worldwide, about 33% of adults aged 30 to 79 have high blood pressure (hypertension). Most people with it feel no symptoms, and about 44% of those affected do not know they have it. Source
- Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, but it becomes more likely from age 35. Overweight or obesity and a family history of diabetes also raise the risk, while keeping a healthy weight and being physically active may help avoid some risk factors. Source
- The risk of coronary heart disease rises with age. For men it starts to increase significantly around age 45; women have a lower risk before menopause, and their risk rises more rapidly from around age 55. Source
- The risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer rises with age: about 93% of cases are found in people aged 45 or older. Low physical activity, excess weight, drinking alcohol and using tobacco may also raise the risk. Source
Population data
| Country | Sex | Average years left at age 40 | Deaths before age 50, per thousand people of this age |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Men | 39.3 | 32 |
| England, UK* | Men | 40.7 | 24 |
| China | Men | 37.0 | 24 |
| Japan | Men | 42.6 | 14 |
| Spain | Men | 41.7 | 13 |
| Brazil | Men | 36.7 | 41 |
Averages for whole populations from the United Nations; they say nothing about any one person. Figures are United Nations estimates for 2023. *UN data covers the whole United Kingdom; the guidelines shown are for England. Source: UN DESA, Population Division (2024), World Population Prospects 2024, CC BY 3.0 IGO; calculated and translated by Age Flags.
Screenings and vaccines by country
Showing: United States · US Preventive Services Task Force · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
US vaccination schedules have changed in recent years; check the current schedule on the CDC website. CDC immunization schedules Congressional Research Service overview
Starting in this age range
- Stool test, or a test that looks inside the bowel (colonoscopy, CT colonography or sigmoidoscopy) — ages 45 to 49
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIV test HIV screening |
ages 15 to 65 | Younger adolescents and older adults at increased risk should also be screened; repeat screening is reasonable for people at increased risk. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening · USPSTF grade A MyHealthfinder: Get Tested for HIV |
|
| Hepatitis C antibody blood test (a positive result is confirmed with a PCR test) Hepatitis C screening |
ages 18 to 79 | once · Most adults need to be screened only once; people with continued risk (for example, past or current injection drug use) should be screened periodically. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Blood pressure measurement Blood pressure check |
age 18 and over | Suggested intervals: every year from age 40 and for adults at increased risk; every 3 to 5 years for adults aged 18 to 39 who are not at increased risk and had a normal reading before. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Hypertension in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade A MyHealthfinder: Get Your Blood Pressure Checked |
|
| Tuberculosis infection test (skin test or blood test) Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection screening |
age 18 and over; At increased risk of tuberculosis, for example born in or a former resident of a country where TB is common, or living or having lived in a homeless shelter or correctional facility | As set out in the source | US Preventive Services Task Force · Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B MyHealthfinder: Testing for Latent Tuberculosis: Questions for the Doctor |
|
| Anxiety screening questions (short questionnaire) Anxiety screening |
ages 19 to 64 | Includes pregnant and postpartum people. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Anxiety Disorders in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Depression screening questionnaire (such as the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ) Depression screening |
age 19 and over | Includes pregnant and postpartum people and older adults. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Blood test for prediabetes and diabetes (fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin or oral glucose tolerance test) Prediabetes and diabetes screening |
ages 35 to 70; Has overweight or obesity | Screening every 3 years may be a reasonable approach for adults with normal blood glucose levels. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Stool test, or a test that looks inside the bowel (colonoscopy, CT colonography or sigmoidoscopy) Colorectal (bowel) cancer screening |
ages 45 to 49 | High-sensitivity guaiac stool test (gFOBT) or faecal immunochemical test (FIT) — every year · Multitarget stool DNA test with FIT (sDNA-FIT) · CT colonography — every 5 years · Flexible sigmoidoscopy — every 5 years · Flexible sigmoidoscopy, plus a FIT stool test every year — every 10 years · Colonoscopy — every 10 years · Stool DNA-FIT is repeated every 1 to 3 years. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Colorectal Cancer: Screening · USPSTF grade B MyHealthfinder: Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer |
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flu vaccine (any type suitable for age and health) Flu vaccination |
age 19 and over | every year · From age 65, a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted flu vaccine is preferred. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccination |
ages 19 to 59 | Two, three or four doses depending on the vaccine. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B |
|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 19 and over; Has an immunocompromising condition (including HIV) | Two doses, given 2 to 6 months apart. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule Shingles Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| Tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td or Tdap) Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
age 19 and over | every 10 years · Adults who did not get Tdap at age 10 or older get one dose of Tdap first. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Age 50 Years or Older) Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations (for healthcare providers) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| HPV vaccine HPV vaccination |
ages 27 to 45; Based on shared clinical decision-making with a health care provider | As set out in the source | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
No national health check programme item for United States in this age range could be verified automatically.
Showing: England, UK · Department of Health and Social Care (England) · UK Health Security Agency
Items for the United Kingdom cover England only.
Starting in this age range
- NHS Health Check (heart and circulation check-up) — ages 40 to 74; Not already diagnosed with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five, diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, transient ischaemic attack, high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), heart failure, peripheral arterial disease or stroke; not prescribed statins to lower cholesterol; and not already assessed as having a twenty per cent or higher risk of a cardiovascular event within ten years
No national screening item for England, UK in this age range could be verified automatically.
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 18 and over; Severely weakened immune system (as defined in the UK Green Book) | Two doses, given 8 weeks to 6 months apart. | UK Health Security Agency · Shingles immunisation programme · National programme Shingles vaccine |
Health check programmes
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Health Check (heart and circulation check-up) National health check programme |
ages 40 to 74; Not already diagnosed with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five, diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, transient ischaemic attack, high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), heart failure, peripheral arterial disease or stroke; not prescribed statins to lower cholesterol; and not already assessed as having a twenty per cent or higher risk of a cardiovascular event within ten years | every 5 years | Department of Health and Social Care (England) · NHS Health Check (Local Authorities (Public Health Functions and Entry to Premises by Local Healthwatch Representatives) Regulations 2013, regulation 4) · Set by law NHS Health Check |
Showing: China · National Health Commission (China) · Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Starting in this age range
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy — ages 45 to 74; At high risk of oesophageal cancer: lives in a high-incidence area, has a parent, child or sibling with oesophageal cancer, has habits such as very hot food or drink, high-salt or pickled food, smoking or heavy drinking, has a long-term oesophageal condition (such as Barrett's oesophagus or reflux oesophagitis), or has been treated for a precancerous oesophageal lesion
- Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) — ages 45 to 74; At high risk of stomach cancer: lives in a high-incidence area, has a parent, child or sibling with stomach cancer, has tested positive for Helicobacter pylori, smokes, drinks heavily or eats a high-salt or pickled diet, or has a stomach condition such as atrophic gastritis, stomach ulcer, stomach polyps or a remnant stomach after surgery
- Colonoscopy — ages 40 to 74; Assessed as at high risk of sporadic colorectal cancer on the national risk score (based on age, sex, colorectal cancer in a parent, child or sibling, smoking and body mass index)
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure measurement Blood pressure check |
age 35 and over | every year · A free check offered to permanent residents by primary care facilities under the National Basic Public Health Services. | National Health and Family Planning Commission (China) · 国家基本公共卫生服务规范(第三版)· 高血压患者健康管理服务规范 · National programme 国家基本公共卫生服务规范(第三版)（国家卫生计生委 2017年2月）— 卢氏县人民政府网站转载 PDF 国家卫生计生委公报 2017年第3期（收录国卫基层发〔2017〕13号通知正文，附件略） |
|
| Colonoscopy Colorectal (bowel) cancer screening |
ages 40 to 74; Assessed as at high risk of sporadic colorectal cancer on the national risk score (based on age, sex, colorectal cancer in a parent, child or sibling, smoking and body mass index) | every 5–10 years · People who cannot tolerate or decline colonoscopy may instead have a faecal occult blood test every year or another listed test. If a parent, child or sibling was diagnosed before age 60, or two or more were diagnosed, screening starts 10 years before the earliest diagnosis age in the family, with no lower age limit. | National Health Commission (China) · 结直肠癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版) · National guideline 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发肺癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和结直肠癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知 — 朝阳市卫生健康委员会网站转载 |
|
| Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) Stomach cancer screening |
ages 45 to 74; At high risk of stomach cancer: lives in a high-incidence area, has a parent, child or sibling with stomach cancer, has tested positive for Helicobacter pylori, smokes, drinks heavily or eats a high-salt or pickled diet, or has a stomach condition such as atrophic gastritis, stomach ulcer, stomach polyps or a remnant stomach after surgery | every 5 years · For people at high risk with no history of upper gastrointestinal cancer who can undergo endoscopy; people with some precancerous findings are checked more often. | National Health Commission (China) · 胃癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版) · National guideline 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发食管癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和胃癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知（国卫办医急函〔2024〕200号）— 广德市人民政府网站转载 |
|
| Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy Oesophageal (food pipe) cancer screening |
ages 45 to 74; At high risk of oesophageal cancer: lives in a high-incidence area, has a parent, child or sibling with oesophageal cancer, has habits such as very hot food or drink, high-salt or pickled food, smoking or heavy drinking, has a long-term oesophageal condition (such as Barrett's oesophagus or reflux oesophagitis), or has been treated for a precancerous oesophageal lesion | every 5 years · For people at high risk with no history of upper gastrointestinal cancer who can undergo endoscopy; people with some precancerous findings are checked more often. | National Health Commission (China) · 食管癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版) · National guideline 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发食管癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和胃癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知（国卫办医急函〔2024〕200号）— 广德市人民政府网站转载 |
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal flu vaccine (inactivated or live attenuated) Flu vaccination |
from 6 months | every year · Priority groups are health workers, people aged 60 and over, people with chronic conditions, care-home residents and staff, children aged 6 months to under 5 years, carers of babies under 6 months and pregnant women. Children under 9 years having their first inactivated vaccine need two doses at least 4 weeks apart. | Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention · 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027) · Technical guideline 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027)（发布页） |
No national health check programme item for China in this age range could be verified automatically.
Showing: Japan · Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan)
In Japan, cancer screening is carried out by municipalities.
Starting in this age range
- Chest X-ray — age 40 and over
- Faecal immunochemical test (two-day sample) — age 40 and over
- Specific Health Checkup (metabolic syndrome check) — ages 40 to 74
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faecal immunochemical test (two-day sample) Colorectal (bowel) cancer screening |
age 40 and over | every year · Screening is particularly recommended for people aged 40 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
|
| Chest X-ray Lung cancer screening |
age 40 and over | every year · Screening is particularly recommended for people aged 40 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
No national vaccine item for Japan in this age range could be verified automatically.
Health check programmes
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Health Checkup (metabolic syndrome check) National health check programme |
ages 40 to 74 | every year · Run by health insurers (employees' health insurance and National Health Insurance) for their enrolled members, with health guidance for people at high risk of lifestyle-related disease. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 特定健康診査(特定健診) · National programme 特定健診・特定保健指導（e-ヘルスネット） |
Showing: Spain
No national screening item for Spain in this age range could be verified automatically.
No national vaccine item for Spain in this age range could be verified automatically.
No national health check programme item for Spain in this age range could be verified automatically.
Showing: Brazil · Ministério da Saúde (Brazil)
No national screening item for Brazil in this age range could be verified automatically.
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow fever vaccine (live attenuated) Yellow fever vaccination |
ages 5 to 59 | Recommended throughout Brazil. One dose for anyone never vaccinated; one booster if the only previous dose was given before age 5. From age 60, it is given only in exceptional cases, after an individual risk-benefit assessment. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
|
| Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccination |
age 7 and over | Anyone without 3 recorded doses starts or completes the course, with the second dose 1 month and the third 6 months after the first. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
|
| dT vaccine (adult-type tetanus and diphtheria) Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
age 14 and over | every 10 years · The first booster is at age 14, after the childhood DTP doses; the interval is shortened to 5 years if there is a risk of tetanus or diphtheria exposure. Anyone from age 7 without 3 previous doses starts or completes the course first. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
|
| MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination |
ages 30 to 59 | 1 dose for anyone without proof of a previous dose. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
No national health check programme item for Brazil in this age range could be verified automatically.
How countries compare
Each country bases its guidelines on its own evidence reviews and health system. Age Flags lists them side by side and does not judge between them.
| Item | United States | England, UK | China | Japan | Spain | Brazil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure check |
age 18 and over
|
— |
age 35 and over
every year |
— | — | — |
| Colorectal (bowel) cancer screening |
ages 45 to 49
|
— |
ages 40 to 74; Assessed as at high risk of sporadic colorectal cancer on the national risk score (based on age, sex, colorectal cancer in a parent, child or sibling, smoking and body mass index)
every 5–10 years |
age 40 and over
every year |
— | — |
| Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
age 19 and over
every 10 years |
Combined vaccines that also cover this may be listed in the country's full schedule: England, UK | — | — | — |
age 14 and over
every 10 years |
| National health check programme | — |
ages 40 to 74; Not already diagnosed with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five, diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, transient ischaemic attack, high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), heart failure, peripheral arterial disease or stroke; not prescribed statins to lower cholesterol; and not already assessed as having a twenty per cent or higher risk of a cardiovascular event within ten years
every 5 years |
— |
ages 40 to 74
every year |
— | — |
| Hepatitis B vaccination |
ages 19 to 59
|
Combined vaccines that also cover this may be listed in the country's full schedule: England, UK | — | — | — |
age 7 and over
|
| Flu vaccination |
age 19 and over
every year |
— |
from 6 months
every year |
— | — | — |
| Shingles vaccination |
age 19 and over; Has an immunocompromising condition (including HIV)
|
age 18 and over; Severely weakened immune system (as defined in the UK Green Book)
|
— | — | — | — |
Everyday health
- Guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 advise at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week, muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days a week, and breaking up long periods of sitting. Source
- Adults aged 18 to 60 need 7 or more hours of sleep each day, and adults aged 61 to 64 need 7 to 9 hours. Source
- UK guidelines for people over 18 advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week and, for those who drink that much, spreading it over 3 or more days. Staying within this keeps risks low but does not make drinking safe. (England, UK) Source
- WHO guidance is for everyone older than 10 to aim for at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables and at least 25 grams of naturally occurring fibre a day, and for adults to keep salt below 5 grams a day. Source
- In the United States, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death. E-cigarette use is most common among adults aged 18 to 24, and cigarette smoking among adults aged 45 to 64. (United States) Source
If your ancestry or background is…
South Asian · Chinese · Other Asian · Middle Eastern · Black African or African Caribbean
NICE (UK) guidance says people with a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean background tend to carry more fat around the abdomen and face weight-related risks at a lower BMI. For adults it uses lower thresholds: overweight from 23 to 27.4, obesity from 27.5 or above.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · England, UK · Source
Asian American
USPSTF (US) guidance, which recommends screening adults aged 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, says a lower BMI cut point of 23 or more may be appropriate for Asian American people, because differences in body fat composition mean the usual BMI thresholds underestimate their risk.
US Preventive Services Task Force · Source
Black adults
USPSTF (US) guidance notes that Black adults have the highest colorectal cancer rates and death rates, and that evidence points to unequal access to and quality of screening and treatment, not genetic differences, as the main cause. It recommends that everyone, including Black adults, start screening at age 45, and urges clinicians to ensure Black patients get recommended screening and follow-up.
US Preventive Services Task Force · Source
Fair skin types
USPSTF (US) guidance says people with fair skin types (pale skin, light hair and eye colour, freckles, or skin that sunburns easily) are at higher risk of skin cancer. It recommends counselling people aged 6 months to 24 years, and parents of young children, about limiting exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and selectively offering this counselling to adults older than 24.
US Preventive Services Task Force · Source
Born in, or with parents from, a region where hepatitis B is more common
CDC (US) guidelines list people born in regions where hepatitis B infection prevalence is 2% or more among those at increased risk, and recommend testing them, regardless of age, if they may have been susceptible to infection. The same applies to people born in the United States who were not vaccinated as infants and whose parents were born in regions where prevalence is 8% or more.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Source
African American
NEI (US) health information lists being African American and over age 40 among the factors that raise the risk of glaucoma, along with having a family history of it. It says people at higher risk need a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years, and suggests asking a doctor how often to get checked.
National Eye Institute (US National Institutes of Health) · Source
East Asian
The MHLW (Japan) drinking guideline, mainly for adults aged 20 and over, says that in East Asia a number of people have a weak enzyme for breaking down alcohol and may flush red when they drink; about 41% of people in Japan are thought to react this way. It warns that long-term drinking greatly raises their risk of mouth and oesophageal cancer, even once it stops feeling unpleasant.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · Source
Ancestry is a population-level stand-in for risk factors, not a biological cause. Your own situation is for your doctor to judge.
When to see a doctor
- Sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face, weakness or numbness in one arm, or slurred or confused speech can be signs of a stroke, which is an emergency: call your local emergency number straight away, even if the symptoms stop after a short time. A stroke can happen at any age. Source
- Chest pain that feels crushing or squeezing, possibly spreading to the arm, neck or jaw, along with shortness of breath, feeling sick or sweating, can be signs of a heart attack, which needs emergency treatment: call your local emergency number straight away. Source
- A lump or swelling in the testicles, a change in their shape or feel, or aching that does not go away is a reason to see a GP; most lumps are not serious. Sudden, severe testicle pain needs emergency care. Contact a doctor or your local health service; in an emergency, call your local emergency number. Source
- Very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can cause severe headache, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, blurred vision or confusion; these symptoms together with high blood pressure need care straight away. Contact a doctor or your local health service; in an emergency, call your local emergency number. Source
If you are worried about a symptom, contact a doctor or your local health service. In an emergency, call the emergency number for your country.
Common questions
Which items start in this age range in the United States?
For example: Stool test, or a test that looks inside the bowel (colonoscopy, CT colonography or sigmoidoscopy). Guideline: US Preventive Services Task Force. Who it is for: ages 45 to 49. How often / doses: High-sensitivity guaiac stool test (gFOBT) or faecal immunochemical test (FIT) — every year · Multitarget stool DNA test with FIT (sDNA-FIT) · CT colonography — every 5 years · Flexible sigmoidoscopy — every 5 years · Flexible sigmoidoscopy, plus a FIT stool test every year — every 10 years · Colonoscopy — every 10 years · Stool DNA-FIT is repeated every 1 to 3 years.
Which items start in this age range in England?
For example: NHS Health Check (heart and circulation check-up). Guideline: Department of Health and Social Care (England). Who it is for: ages 40 to 74; not already diagnosed with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five, diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, transient ischaemic attack, high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), heart failure, peripheral arterial disease or stroke; not prescribed statins to lower cholesterol; and not already assessed as having a twenty per cent or higher risk of a cardiovascular event within ten years. How often / doses: every 5 years.
Sources
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Tested for HIV · Checked:
- Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Hypertension in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Your Blood Pressure Checked · Checked:
- Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Testing for Latent Tuberculosis: Questions for the Doctor · Checked:
- Anxiety Disorders in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Colorectal Cancer: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer · Checked:
- Adult Immunization Schedule Notes (Recommendations for Ages 19 Years or Older, United States) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) · Checked:
- Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B · Checked:
- Shingles Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Age 50 Years or Older) · Checked:
- Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations (for healthcare providers) · Checked:
- Shingles immunisation programme: information for healthcare practitioners · Checked:
- Shingles vaccine · Checked:
- The Local Authorities (Public Health Functions and Entry to Premises by Local Healthwatch Representatives) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/351), regulation 4: Health check assessment · Checked:
- NHS Health Check · Checked:
- 国家基本公共卫生服务规范(第三版)（国卫基层发〔2017〕13号附件，国家卫生计生委 2017年2月） · Checked:
- 国家基本公共卫生服务规范(第三版)（国家卫生计生委 2017年2月）— 卢氏县人民政府网站转载 PDF · Checked:
- 国家卫生计生委公报 2017年第3期（收录国卫基层发〔2017〕13号通知正文，附件略） · Checked:
- 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发肺癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和结直肠癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知（国卫办医急函〔2024〕281号）— 广东省疾病预防控制中心网站转载 · Checked:
- 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发肺癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和结直肠癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知 — 朝阳市卫生健康委员会网站转载 · Checked:
- 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发食管癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和胃癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知（国卫办医急函〔2024〕200号）— 宁夏回族自治区卫生健康委员会网站转载 · Checked:
- 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发食管癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)和胃癌筛查与早诊早治方案(2024年版)的通知（国卫办医急函〔2024〕200号）— 广德市人民政府网站转载 · Checked:
- 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027) · Checked:
- 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027)（发布页） · Checked:
- がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針（令和7年12月24日一部改正） · Checked:
- がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） · Checked:
- がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） · Checked:
- 特定健診・特定保健指導について（厚生労働省 保険局） · Checked:
- 特定健診・特定保健指導（e-ヘルスネット） · Checked:
- Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 (Ministério da Saúde, DPNI/SVSA) · Checked:
- Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) · Checked:
- NHS: Osteoporosis causes · Checked:
- NEI: Presbyopia · Checked:
- NIDDK: Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) · Checked:
- NIDCD: Quick statistics about hearing · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Road traffic injuries · Checked:
- NHS: What is testicular cancer? · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Hypertension · Checked:
- NIDDK: Risk factors for type 2 diabetes · Checked:
- NHLBI: Coronary heart disease risk factors · Checked:
- CDC: Colorectal cancer risk factors · Checked:
- NHS: Physical activity guidelines for adults · Checked:
- CDC: About sleep · Checked:
- nidirect (Northern Ireland government): Alcohol units · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Healthy diet · Checked:
- CDC: Current cigarette smoking among adults in the United States · Checked:
- NHS: Stroke symptoms · Checked:
- NHS: Heart attack symptoms · Checked:
- NHS: Testicular lumps and swellings · Checked:
- NICE NG246 Overweight and obesity management: Identifying and assessing overweight, obesity and central adiposity · Checked:
- Skin Cancer Prevention: Behavioral Counseling (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Screening and Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: CDC Recommendations — United States, 2023 (MMWR Recomm Rep 72(1)) · Checked:
- NEI: Glaucoma · Checked:
- 健康に配慮した飲酒に関するガイドライン（厚生労働省） · Checked:
Material adapted from the US Preventive Services Task Force has not been reviewed or endorsed by AHRQ or HHS.
Source: website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (the pages listed above), adapted by Age Flags.
Figures are restated from the publishers listed above; the original guidelines remain theirs. Some content contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Adapted content has not been reviewed or endorsed by the original publishers.
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