Do you want to stay healthy after 40? Doctors Say Men Should Consider 14 Medical Tests

Men have higher rates of almost all major chronic diseases; However, nearly two-thirds admit they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible, according to a Cleveland Clinic survey.

Doctors warn that once men reach age 40, routine screening becomes essential to detect problems early, before preventable conditions become life-threatening.

“When it comes to preventing heart attacks, strokes, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, metabolic diseases and premature aging, testing is essential,” Dr. Jack Wolfson, an Arizona cardiologist, told News Digital. “Most men have no idea what’s going on inside their bodies until it’s too late.”

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“If I could give one message to every man over 40: Try, don’t guess,” he continued. “Detect the problem early, solve it naturally and live to 100 years and beyond with vitality.”

Below, experts share some of the most important medical tests that men over 40 should discuss with their doctors, some of which are universally recommended and others that apply to certain groups.

1. Complete blood count (CBC)

Dr. Andrea Caamano, MD, a New Jersey physician specializing in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, recommends that this blood test be performed annually in men age 40 and older.

“It tells us the status of a patient’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, and tells us about infections, allergic reactions, inflammation, anemia and clotting disorders,” he told News Digital.

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The blood count is especially important in men receiving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), since testosterone stimulates the production of red blood cells, and overproduction will increase the risk of clots and high blood pressure, according to the doctor.

“The only limitation of the test is that it doesn’t tell us why something happens,” Caamaño said. “It will give us values, but not a reason when they are outside normal limits.”

“If I could give one message to every man over 40: Try, don’t guess.”

Health agencies such as the CDC, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and the World Health Organization do not recommend a CBC test for everyone without symptoms, but they do recommend it for people experiencing symptoms such as anemia, infection, swelling, fatigue, bleeding or bruising, or for those with a known medical condition.

2. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

This blood test is commonly performed once a year, according to Caamaño, especially in men using TRT.

“This blood test measures metabolic and organ function, providing information about the kidneys and liver, and electrolyte and glucose status,” he said. “It is important to detect any organic problems that may arise on their own or that may be induced by age or medications.”

The test can also detect diseases such as liver and kidney disease, prediabetes, full-blown diabetes, and electrolyte imbalances that can cause blood pressure fluctuations and heart rhythm problems, according to the doctor.

Caamaño recommends that men using TRT obtain a baseline CMP, then be monitored every three to six months during the first year of treatment and annually thereafter. However, organizations like USPSTF, CDC, and WHO only recommend CMP when evaluating symptoms, monitoring chronic diseases, or checking medication safety.

3. Blood pressure

The CDC and USPSTF recommend that all adults age 18 and older have routine blood pressure checks. High blood pressure is defined as 130/80 mmHg or more.

It is recommended that people ages 40 and older, or those at high risk, get tested every year, while younger adults with consistently normal results can get tested every three to five years.

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“The use of TRT can increase blood pressure, so it is very important to monitor it periodically,” Caamaño said. “Increased blood pressure may be indicative of cardiovascular disease.”

4. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score

Dr. Auda Auda, a board-certified physician at Baker Health in New York, considers this his top recommendation for protecting against heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in men over 40.

“A CAC scan directly measures calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, years before symptoms develop,” Auda told News Digital. “For many men, it’s the difference between ‘normal annual labs’ and a silent, high-risk cardiovascular condition that would otherwise go unnoticed.”

A high CAC score identifies early coronary atherosclerosis, leading to specific lifestyle changes, statins and risk modification to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, the doctor noted.

The test should be done every five years if the score is 0, or every one to two years if the score is >0, Auda said.

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“I’ve had several men in their 40s with ‘perfect’ cholesterol come back with CAC scores in the 200 to 400 range, completely changing their trajectory,” he shared.

Major health agencies, such as the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the USPSTF, recommend the CAC score for adults who are at intermediate risk for heart disease or when it is unclear whether they should start statin therapy.

5. Advanced lipid profile

Dr. Jeremy M. Liff, a board-certified neurologist in New York, puts this test at the top of his list.

“Unlike a standard cholesterol panel, which only provides HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) and LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol), the advanced version breaks down specific types of LDL particles,” Liff told News Digital. “Some LDL particles are much more dangerous than others.”

“Insulin resistance influences almost every major organ, including the liver and brain.”

The advanced lipid profile helps prevent “catastrophic” cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, according to the doctor.

“This test gives men over 40 a much clearer picture of their cardiovascular risk and whether they need major changes to their diet or lifestyle,” he said. “By identifying dangerous types of LDL particles early, men can intervene before plaque buildup becomes life-threatening.”

Depending on your doctor, you may only need to do the advanced lipid profile once if the baseline looks excellent. If the results are bad, men should repeat the test every six months under the supervision of their doctor, he advised.

Major health organizations, including ACC, AHA, Endocrine Society, and USPSTF, consider advanced lipid profiles as optional decision support tools instead of standard screening tests.

6. Thyroid function

This blood test can be performed annually to evaluate how well the thyroid gland is functioning, according to Caamaño.

“Problems with thyroid function can cause mood swings, fatigue, weight changes, heart palpitations and hair loss,” he told News Digital.

The thyroid is usually checked when men have symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, heart palpitations or hair loss, although some doctors also order it periodically in middle age.

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The test measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland and tells the thyroid how much hormone to produce. It also measures levels of free T4 (the main hormone released by the thyroid) and free T3 (the active form the body converts T4 into).

Based on these three levels, a doctor can determine whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive.

Major health agencies, such as the USPSTF, the American Thyroid Association (ATA), and the American College of Physicians, recommend this test for people who are at increased risk for thyroid disease, experience symptoms, or have autoimmune conditions.

7. Prostate specific antigen (PSA)

A PSA blood test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by normal and cancer cells in the prostate gland.

This test, sometimes along with a digital rectal examination, is used to detect cancer or an enlarged prostate, according to Caamaño.

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The USPSTF, the American Urological Association (AUA), and the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend “shared decision-making” for men ages 55 to 69, warning of the risks of false positives, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment with PSA testing.

8. Insulin sensitivity test

Some doctors use additional markers of insulin sensitivity when taking a more proactive approach to metabolic health. These measures can provide information that goes beyond standard tests, such as fasting glucose and HbA1c, which reflects average blood glucose over the past two to three months.

“Insulin resistance influences almost every major organ, including the liver and brain,” Liff told News Digital. “It plays an important role in metabolic health, long-term inflammation and the risk of future diseases.”

According to the doctor, low insulin sensitivity is closely related to fatty liver disease, cognitive impairment and vascular problems.

“Detecting it early allows men to make changes that protect long-term organ health, including the brain,” Liff said. “Depending on initial findings, it may be appropriate to repeat treatment every six months.”

Major health agencies, such as the ADA (American Diabetes Association), USPSTF, CDC, and WHO, generally recommend screening for diabetes and prediabetes using fasting glucose, HbA1c, or a standard oral glucose tolerance test.

9. Hormonal levels

Caamaño recommends that certain men over 40 get hormone testing, including total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol, which can be measured in a blood draw.

“These are done when men have symptoms like low libido, fatigue, breast enlargement or when they use TRT,” he told News Digital.

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According to the doctor, consistency is key in hormonal tests. “Testosterone should be measured in the morning, as it follows a pattern and peaks in the morning hours,” Caamaño said. “Blood hormone levels, along with symptoms, help determine the need for TRT.”

The Endocrine Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the USPSTF, and the American Urological Association only recommend hormone testing when clear signs or symptoms are present. cal indications

10. Omega-3 index

Cardiologist Wolfson, who is also founder of Natural Heart Doctor, a holistic cardiology practice, calls this test “the most powerful predictor of heart attack and risk of sudden death,” although it is not yet part of the standard screening guidelines for everyone.

Low levels of omega-3s, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are associated with a variety of medical conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, poor cognition, mood disorders and more, studies have shown.

“The omega-3 index is a direct measurement of omega-3 levels within red blood cells, making it much more meaningful than a standard blood omega-3 test,” Wolfson told News Digital.

He recommends that men ages 40 and older get tested once a year, “or every six months if supplementing and optimizing.”

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However, major health agencies such as the AHA and the National Institutes of Health do not recommend routine omega-3 index testing for the general population, as the test is primarily used for patients with cardiovascular disease who are already considering taking omega-3 supplements.

11. Ultrasound of the carotid artery

According to Liff, narrowing of the carotid arteries reduces blood flow to the brain and increases the risk of stroke. Carotid artery ultrasound can reveal problems long before symptoms appear, potentially protecting brain health.

It may be considered in some high-risk men or when a doctor suspects carotid disease.

“Reduced blood flow due to plaque buildup can trigger strokes or transient ischemic attacks,” Liff told News Digital. “Early detection of narrowing allows for treatment, lifestyle changes or close monitoring before a serious event occurs.”

If there is no evidence of disease, Liff recommends repeating the test every few years. “If a narrowing is detected, a specialist should follow the patient more closely,” he advised.

The USPSTF, AHA, American Stroke Association (ASA), and ACC only recommend carotid artery ultrasound when there are neurological symptoms or high clinical suspicion of carotid disease based on medical history.

12. Colon cancer screening

The USPSTF, ACS, and CDC now recommend screening for colon cancer in average-risk adults ages 45 to 75.

Men with a family history of colorectal cancer should begin screening at age 40, Caamaño noted. Those at a low risk level should begin screening at age 45, using colonoscopy or a home stool test.

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“A colonoscopy should be performed every 10 years unless polyps are found, which then reduces the time to every three to five years, or for those with a family history of colorectal cancer, every five years,” he told News Digital. “This screening is very important, as early detection can save lives.”

13. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that detects low levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.

Wolfson refers to this test as the “inflammation alarm bell.” “Chronic inflammation is a major driver of heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, diabetes and accelerated aging,” he told News Digital, calling “hs-CRP ‘the best early warning sign.'”

The test helps detect silent cardiovascular inflammation, early arterial damage, hidden infections and inflammatory lifestyle triggers, such as lack of sleep, stress, alcohol and toxins, Wolfson noted.

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It recommends that men ages 40 and older get tested every six months, or more frequently if levels are elevated or symptoms are present. However, according to major health agencies, there is insufficient evidence that hs-CRP should be performed routinely unless someone is experiencing symptoms or is at intermediate cardiovascular risk.

14. Vitamin D

Nicknamed the “sunshine hormone,” vitamin D is known to predict the duration of health, according to Wolfson.

According to the doctor, low levels are linked to heart disease, cancer, autoimmune conditions, high blood pressure, depression, low testosterone levels, poor immune resilience, and premature aging.

“It’s one of the strongest indicators of lifestyle quality, including sun exposure, sleep habits, metabolic health and inflammation,” he told News Digital. “Levels may be low in men who avoid the sun or use too much sunscreen.”

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Wolfson recommends testing for vitamin D twice a year, ideally in winter and summer, to capture seasonal changes.

While many doctors monitor vitamin D in midlife, especially if someone has risk factors or related conditions, major health agencies only recommend screening for people who have deficiency symptoms or are at higher risk due to medical conditions or certain medications.

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Anyone seeking more information about these or other health screenings should contact a doctor for individual recommendations.