Men's Preventive Checkup in Houston: Guide by Age

Men go to the doctor less and later. This guide sorts out what is worth checking each decade, so the visit has a concrete reason and not just a sense that it was overdue.

Ages 20 to 39

• Blood pressure: at least every two years
• Cholesterol and glucose: as a baseline to compare against later
• Weight and habits: tobacco, alcohol, physical activity
• Sexually transmitted infection testing based on sexual activity
• Vaccines up to date, including the tetanus booster every 10 years

This is the decade almost nobody comes in, and that is exactly why a starting point helps: a cholesterol reading from your 30s is worth a lot when compared at 45.

Ages 40 to 49

• Blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol every year
• Assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, not just one isolated number
• Review of urinary symptoms: weak stream, urgency, getting up at night
• A conversation about family history of prostate or colon cancer

Ages 50 to 69

• Colorectal cancer screening: it starts at 45 under current guidelines
• PSA: the USPSTF places the decision between ages 55 and 69, and recommends discussing its benefits and drawbacks first. With a family history, that conversation happens earlier
• Close control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
• Vision and hearing
• Hormone panel if there is fatigue, muscle loss or low desire

Age 70 and beyond

• PSA is no longer recommended as routine screening
• Priority on blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function and accumulated medication
• Review of fall risk, balance and bone density
• Review the medication list: at this age there are usually more drugs than needed, not fewer

The symptoms men tend to ignore

A weak urinary stream, getting up twice or more at night, fatigue lasting months, shortness of breath climbing stairs, chest pain on exertion that "goes away when you stop". That last one is not to be ignored: it warrants immediate care.

How to make one visit count

If you are going once a year, make it count: bring your medication list, previous results and the two or three things worrying you, written down. The men's health check can include PSA, hormone panel, blood work and urine testing in the same visit.

In Houston

Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Little York sees walk-in patients Monday through Sunday, 9 AM to 9 PM, with no insurance needed. Promotions include the complete men's exam for $89 and the hormone panel for $200.