When was the last time you went to your doctor for a check-up?
I don’t mean making an appointment because you feel unwell but going to see your doctor even though you feel perfectly fine.
While opinions vary, the NSW Healthline website recommends routine check-ups with your doctor once every three years if you’re under the age of 50 and in good health and once a year once you turn 50.
I must admit that I did not follow the “check-up” guidelines mentioned above and it was only at the insistence of my nurse wife that I started regular check-ups upon turning 50.
So, my regular yearly check-ups at ages 50, 51 and 52 confirmed that I was a fit and healthy male with nothing to be concerned about.
My check-up at 53 started to show some issues and then this year, at 54, the message from my doctor was loud and clear: “Houston, we have a problem!”
My lifestyle in the past four years has not changed.
I eat well; I get plenty of exercise and activity; I am not overweight; I lead a very happy and stress-free lifestyle; about the only health box I do not tick is the one related to alcohol intake where I sit slightly above recommended healthy guidelines.
What has changed is that I have grown older and the aging process has exposed two underlying genetic diseases, which are prevalent in my family and my indigenous background.
One of these is heart disease, which my father died from at the age of 42.
One morning about 12 weeks ago I participated in a high-intensity workout with my clients.
This was followed by a strenuous game of tennis.
I then rode my bike to the beach and had a two-hour surf followed by a nice healthy lunch.
Afterwards I walked to my doctor’s appointment feeling good, ready to get the results of some blood tests.
You can imagine my shock when I was told that I had heart disease, which needed further investigation and possible intervention.
While I strongly believe that most of the chronic diseases known to man can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, we cannot outrun our genetics.
So, when was the last time you had a check-up?
Until next time,
Health and happiness
Stephen Smith
Merewether Fitness
- You can follow Stephen on Instagram @panchos_perspective
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