There’s no denying that people’s healthcare needs change as they get older. Some people may have no problems as they age, whereas others might need treatments or therapies, especially if they have a genetic predisposition for specific conditions.

Each year, everyone should have some simple health checks carried out, irrespective of their age, gender, or level of physical health. Doing so is essential for spotting the early signs of some conditions that could get more serious as time goes on.

With all that in mind, here are the top five health checks that you should get done at least once per year:

1. Blood Pressure

It’s no secret that many individuals have no idea they might experience unusually high or low blood pressure. In those situations, those higher or lower levels can lead to other medical conditions, some of which could be fatal if left untreated.

Each year, you should have your doctor conduct a blood pressure check on you. Alternatively, you could buy a blood pressure monitor that you can use at home.

Home blood pressure monitors are straightforward to set up and use and can give you an indication of your average blood pressure levels.

2. Hearing

Each person’s hearing will decline over time due to the natural aging process. However, some people may experience premature hearing loss caused by medical reasons or prolonged exposure to loud noises (such as through work).

The thing about untreated hearing loss is that it can make your life hard, particularly in social settings. Thankfully, hearing loss problems can get improved with devices like hearing aids.

3. Vision

It doesn’t matter whether you still work for a living or you’ve now retired. If you find that your vision isn’t as sharp as it once was, you will need to get the problem treated. Many people may require corrective eyeglasses, for example, or contact lenses.

An annual vision check can also help determine if you’ve got the early onset of vision-related diseases, so you can get the help you need to have it treated or managed as time progresses.

4. Weight

One of the biggest problems with Western diets is that people tend to snack a lot on unhealthy foods high in sugar, salt, and fat and low in nutritional value. With that in mind, it makes sense to have an annual weight check.

If you’re overweight or obese for a person of your height and age, you will be given the help and support you need to improve your diet and exercise regime, resulting in a healthier weight level.

5. Cancer

The sad truth about cancer is that some individuals don’t realize they have some form of it until their doctor discovers they are at an advanced stage. Each year, it makes sense to opt for cancer screening, irrespective of your age or gender.

Some cancers are only gender-specific, of course, and others might only target people of specific age groups. You can usually arrange for cancer screening for the types most likely to target you.