Health Screening Guidelines, Men Ages 40 to 49
Screening tests and health counseling are a key part of managing your health. A screening test is done to find disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be to find a disease early so you can make lifestyle changes. You may need regular checkups to help you reduce your risk of disease.
Below are guidelines for men ages 40 to 49. Talk with your healthcare provider. Make sure you’re up-to-date on what you need.
We understand gender is a spectrum. We may use gendered terms to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your healthcare provider as you talk about your care.
All men in this age group
All men in this age group
Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
All men in this age group
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
All men ages 35 to 70 with no symptoms who are overweight or obese.
At least every 3 years (yearly if blood sugar has begun to rise)
All men in this age group
Every year, to help find out if you are at a healthy weight for your height
All adults ages 18 and older at least once in a lifetime.
Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors and how often to have hepatitis C screening.
High cholesterol or triglycerides
All men in this age group
At least every 5 years; or at least every 1 to 2 years for men ages 45 to 65. Expert groups vary in their advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk and how often you should be tested.
All men in this age group
All men in this age group
Starting at age 45, talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of these:
Men age 45 and older at average risk
Talk with your healthcare provider about which test below is right for you:
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Colonoscopy every 10 years
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or every 10 with yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) stool test
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
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Yearly fecal occult blood test
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Yearly FIT
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FIT-DNA test (also referred to as stool DNA test) every 3 years
If you have a test that is not a colonoscopy and have an abnormal test result, you will need a colonoscopy.
You may need to be screened more or less often. This is based on personal or family health history. Talk with your healthcare provider.
Men who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your healthcare provider.
Men who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your healthcare provider.
Talk with your healthcare provider
All men in this age group
Baseline screening at age 40. Talk with your healthcare provider about how often to have vision exams.
| Health counseling
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Who needs it
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How often
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| Diet and exercise
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Men who are overweight or obese
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When diagnosed, and then at routine exams
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| Sexually transmitted infection prevention
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Men who are at higher risk of infection. Talk with your healthcare provider.
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At routine exams
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| Use of tobacco and health effects it can cause
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All men in this age group
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Every exam
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Online Medical Reviewer:
Rita Sather RN Online Medical Reviewer:
Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN Online Medical Reviewer:
Susan K. Dempsey-Walls RN Date Last Reviewed:
8/1/2024
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
