Health Maintenance Guidelines
Ages 40 to 49

Check Up

Check blood pressure, weight and height to calculate body mass index (BMI) and health risks.

Screening Tests

• Hep C: Screening for those born between 1945-1965
• HIV: Routine discussion
• Diabetes: All non-Caucasians; All Caucasians with sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, or BMI greater than or equal to 25, or history of gestational diabetes, or family history of diabetes.
• Assessment of Risk for TB: To determine risk factors

Immunizations

• Influenza: Yearly
• Tdap/Td: Tdap required once in a lifetime. Then, Td is required every 10 years.

Men’s Health

• Lipid Test: Every 10 years

Women’s Health

• Pap Test: Every 3 years from age 21. At age 30, may switch to every 5 years with HPV screening.
  
• Folic Acid: Women of child bearing age (15-45) should take a daily supplement (0.4-0.8mg) of folic acid.
  
• Lipid Test: Optional beginning at age 45

Mammogram: Optional yearly
Annual mammography in this age group has been confirmed to decrease mortality but is not recommended by all professional organizations due to differing risk benefit analyses. Options for breast cancer screening should be discussed with your provider yearly.

The United State Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against routine screening mammography in women age 40–49. The decision to start regular screening mammography before age 50 should be an individual on and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms.

Back to top