Better health in our 60s
Some keys for thriving in our 60s include:
Snapshot of the 60s
It’s always important to engage in proactive health, no matter what your age, but the 60s is even more important in some ways. This is partly because age-related challenges accelerate in our 60s and partly because our bodies still have a remarkable capacity to adapt, a capacity that declines as we age further. The good news is that most challenges are manageable, and the odds of keeping healthy remain in your favour, especially if you take a proactive – rather than reactive – approach to health. This can also help you maintain the quality-of-life you value for longer.
Exercise, maintaining strong social connections, regular checkups and cognitive engagement (including remaining curious and having a sense of purpose) are especially important. Other key factors include good nutrition, consistent sleep, and paying attention to what your body is telling you – early warning signs. Some other factors are listed in the 60s Checklist.
And one more thing – make a plan. Decide what you’ll do to improve, and when. Then record the details.
60s Topics …
- Challenges, building resilience and preventing problems
- Essentials: exercise, diet and other priorities
- Risks, warning signs and symptoms
- Screenings & check-ups
- Target heart rate when exercising
- Health records and directives
- Relationships in our 60s
- What to do – today – to improve your health
- Health checklist – for the 60s and ageing well
- Your proactive health plan
- Appendix A. Physical health issues
- Appendix B. Disease and illness risks
Challenges, building resilience and preventing problems
Challenges
The 60s is a time when we become more susceptible to a variety of health risks, including cancer and cardiovascular (heart related) disease – especially those people who have a family history or whose lifestyle (e.g. lack of exercise or poor diet) increases the risk.
There will be further loss of muscle mass if you don’t do regular weight-bearing exercise. Bone density declines more noticeably. Type 2 diabetes becomes more common, especially for people who are obese or have insulin resistance. Depression, anxiety and burnout can still be a problem due to career issues, caregiving stress or hormonal changes.
Good news
The odds of staying healthy and avoiding serious disease are in your favour.
For example, only about 12% of Australians in their 60s have heart, stroke or vascular disease (and only about 1 in 15 of those are likely to die from it); between 7% and 9% will be diagnosed with some form of cancer (1 out of 4 are likely to die from it); between 8% and 12% will have some form of mental health problem (excluding dementia, the risk of which is quite low but it does increase significantly from the mid-60s); and about 14% of people in their 60s will have diabetes.
Don’t rely on the odds
The odds being in your favour doesn’t help if you are one of the unlucky ones so, if you don’t already live by the proactive health principles explained in this Guide, the 60s is definitely the time to start. Even if you follow most of them, but not all, you should seriously think about extending what you do.
Building resilience and preventing problems
Proactive health will prevent many health problems occurring and, for those that can’t be prevented, it will enable early detection and the undoubted benefits of early treatment.
It will also help you to sustain the quality-of-life that you would like for longer than you would if you remain reactive, particularly if you put extra effort into:
- physical activity (aerobic and strengthening);
- cognitive engagement (e.g. having a purpose and ongoing learning);
- health checkups (cardiovascular in particular).
These factors are strong predictors for people in their 60s of on-going quality-of-life, but they are not the only ones. There are many other proactive practices that are necessary for good health including diet and nutrition; good quality sleep; and remaining mentally active. A list of these is summarised in the Checklist for the 60s below and explained in the following paragraphs. More information is available by following the links to the resource sections of this guide.
The essentials: exercise, diet and other priorities
Exercise
Physical activity will minimise the effects of ageing and becomes even more important in your 60s, especially if you haven’t been engaged in regular exercise before.
It should include both aerobic (for cardiovascular benefits) and weight-bearing (to counter muscle loss and strengthen bones – especially important for addressing osteoporosis).
Weight-bearing doesn’t mean “pumping iron” – resistance bands (large rubber loops) are good for home use and walking uphill, dancing, playing tennis, etc, also qualify.
And if you walk briskly, as if you’re running late for a bus, you will derive an aerobic benefit, and your heart will thank you.
It is also important, perhaps even more important as we age, to stretch – dynamic stretching to warm up before exercise and static stretching after exercise or later in the day when your muscles have warmed up. To fully appreciate how important physical activity is, and what you should do, please have a look at section 3 Physical activity.
Diet and nutrition
Diet is always important so it may be a good idea to double check to make sure you are eating the right foods. But what are the “right” foods?
Many people think this means avoiding fast or highly processed foods and eating fruit and vegetables. That’s a good start but it doesn’t go far enough – the right diet includes a wide variety of vegetables, legumes, grains and fruits. This is essential for proper nourishment of your gut bacteria (see section 2.5 – Microbiome), which play such a critical, but underappreciated, role in good health.
In addition to variety, your gut bacteria need food that contain probiotics (e.g. fermented foods such as yogurt) and prebiotics (such as oats and legumes).
Without these, your microbiome will lack the necessary diversity and quantity of microbes, which can lead to poor health, including increased anxiety and memory deterioration.
The right diet will also support your metabolism by keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight within a healthy range. Protein-rich foods will preserve muscle mass; and vitamins (calcium and vitamin D) are needed to support bone health. There is a lot more information about the right diet, including foods that contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients, in section 2 – Diet and nutrition.
Cognitive engagement – novelty, having a purpose and ongoing learning
To keep our brains sharp, it is important to keep learning – acquiring new skills and/ or engaging in complex tasks help to maintain neural connections. Other important factors include social engagement and purposeful activities such as hobbies, mentoring and creative pursuits that have been shown to enhance mental clarity, and boost motivation. What’s good for your brain.
In addition to having a variety of health benefits, positive thinking helps improve mental health by lowering stress levels and protecting against anxiety. Mindfulness can also contribute to good mental health – it helps to reduce forgetfulness, improve concentration and increase situational awareness: Mindfulness.
The other side of the coin is managing cognitive risks, including loneliness: What’s bad for your brain.
Other priorities that are important for good health
Diet/nutrition, exercise and cognitive stimulation are not the only factors that are necessary for good health in our 70s. Other factors that need to be managed – Other priorities for good health – include sleep; dental health; stress management and maintaining strong social ties.
Social engagement reduces isolation and supports emotional resilience – important factors in avoiding loneliness, which is a major risk factor for depression, and mortality, as we get older.
The evidence is remarkably consistent: people who maintain meaningful relationships, regular social contact, and a sense of belonging experience better cognitive health, better emotional balance, and even lower rates of chronic disease. Social connection reduces stress hormones, supports immune function, and keeps the brain stimulated in ways that solitary activities simply can’t replicate.
Risks, warning signs and symptoms
Conditions like osteoporosis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many others (see section 8 No Early Warning Signs) can often develop silently, without any symptoms – which means the 60s is a time to be more diligent about regular screenings and checkups (see Screenings below).
But many do have early warning signs – such as joint pain (an indication of arthritis); breathlessness after mild exercise or weight gain (a possible indication of heart disease); fatigue or mood changes (various possibilities including thyroid dysfunction or nutrient imbalance).
So, it is always important to listen to what our bodies are telling us and not to dismiss an early warning sign as “just ageing” no matter how minor it may seem. A change may seem insignificant but, sometimes, a minor change can be an indication of a more serious problem on its way. On the other hand, an early warning sign might be “just ageing”.
How do you know the difference?
Have a look at the table below that deals with risks that either emerge or increase in our 60s, their warning signs and symptoms. There is more information about these in the appendix at the end of this section together with some other, less serious, risks.
There is also a long list of early warning signs and symptoms in section 7 – Early warning signs – including “what’s normal, and what’s not”. If a change you notice does not fall within the “normal” description, and continues unabated, consult your GP.
| Health Risk | Signs or symptoms | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis | Pain, swelling and reduced range of motion can affect daily tasks | About 1 in 3 people in their 60s are affected by arthritis. This increases to 1 in 2 in the 70s. |
| Cancer | Indeterminate or no early warning signs | Screening for bowel, breast skin and prostate cancer continue to be important in the 60s |
| Cognitive decline | Forgetfulness gets worse and memory can show signs of impairment. Difficulty with words increases. | This risk often emerges in the 60s. Keep a memory journal; use reminders; see your GP if it continues |
| Depression | Irritability; low energy, mood and motivation; poor sleep; changes in appetite; less social connection | Reintroduce activities and social interactions gradually. Loss of loved ones, reduced mobility and loneliness may call for mental health support |
| Diabetes: Type 2 | Being overweight and lack of exercise; often there are no signs or they are mistaken for normal ageing | The prevalence of this is higher in the 60s. Screening is recommended – blood glucose and kidney function – especially for those with risk factors like hypertension, obesity or family history. |
| Falls and fractures | Deterioration in balance and mobility | Fractures become more common and osteoporosis exacerbates the danger. Work on mindfulness and balance |
| Hearing decline | Difficulty picking up words especially in a noisy environment | Hearing problems can contribute to cognitive decline so it’s important to get hearing tested |
| Heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke | Being overweight and breathlessness after mild physical activity are possible indicators but there are not always any pre-warning signs | The risk escalates during the 60s as a result of changes to blood vessels and circulation. Blood testing (cholesterol and blood sugar) and blood pressure should be checked. A calcium score may also be important – ask your GP. |
| Pancreatic cancer | Usually no early warning signs; risk factors include obesity, type 2 diabetes, smoking and family history of cancer | This risk increases in the 60s. It is predicted to be the 2nd biggest cause of cancer death by 2030. Early detection can prolong life so ask your GP if risk factors are present |
| Respiratory conditions | Laboured breathing; shortness of breath; wheezing | Bronchitis and pneumonia are more likely and more dangerous; immune response weakens so flu and infections are more severe. |
| Thyroid disorders | Fatigue; weight changes; mood swings | If symptoms continue or there is a family history, see your GP |
| Vision problems | Cataracts – deterioration in vision clarity; glaucoma – no early warning signs | Increased risk needs to be managed by regular checkups |
Further reading: Older Australians, Health – risk factors – AIHW
Screenings & check-ups for the 60s
It becomes increasingly important in our 60s to have regular screenings – especially for those health problems that don’t have meaningful early warning signs – and to check with your doctor unless you are certain that any physical, emotional or mental change is normal. Early detection can make a big difference. For example, bowel cancer screening should be conducted every two years from age 50 to 75; blood tests should include a PSA reading, a possible indicator of prostate cancer; colonoscopy is recommended every five years from age 45.
The table below contains testing/screening recommendations for the most common problems that affect people in their 60s.
| Test / checkup | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Bone density | If not checked previously, testing is recommended during the 70s |
| Bowel cancer | Every 2 years up to age 75. Some doctors recommend continuing if life expectancy is more than 10 years |
| Breast cancer | Mammogram every 2 years unless GP recommends otherwise |
| Cardiovascular / heart health | Annual cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure checks; review medications and risk factors. Ask your GP about a calcium score |
| Cervical cancer | HPV screening every 5 years up to age 75 |
| Colonoscopy | Every 5 years from age 45 to 75 |
| Diabetes & kidneys | Annual blood glucose and kidney function tests are recommended for people over 60, especially those with risk factors like hypertension, obesity or family history |
| Eyesight | At least every 2 years (glaucoma has no early warning sign) |
| General health | GP visit recommended annually for broad review of health |
| Hearing | Testing advisable if any deterioration (can contribute to dementia) |
| Heart and blood circulation | Annual cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure checks; review medications and risk factors. See also lipoprotein below |
| Lipoprotein | Discuss with your GP if not already tested |
| Mental health | Screen for depression, memory changes, and social isolation |
| Prostate cancer | Discuss with your GP |
| Skin cancer | Annual testing |
| Stroke | Annual checks for blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rhythm are recommended, particularly for those at risk (family history or lifestyle issues such as smoking, being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, etc) |
| Vaccinations | Shingles and pneumococcal. Regular flu and Covid 19 |
It is, of course, advisable to get screenings done more regularly if there are any early warning signs or increased risk factors, such as your lifestyle or family history.
Target heart rates when exercising
Your target heart rate will depend on your objective, your age and your level of fitness. The first step is to work out your maximum heart rate (MHR) for exercising which can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220. Therefore, if you are 70, your MHR is 150 bpm (beats per minute) although this can vary depending upon level of fitness and state of health, etc. If your goal is aerobic activity, the rule of thumb is to aim for 60-70% of MHR i.e. a heartbeat between 90 and 105 bpm.
It is a common misconception that fat burning only happens in zones 2-5. All exercise helps although zone 1 is the least effective. It also a misconception that older people shouldn’t train in the higher zones, although it is wise to get advice from a professional first.
| Goal | Zone | BPM age 70 | Activity examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light exercise or recovery | Zone 1 (50–60%) | 75-90 | Gentle walking, yoga, light stretching |
| Aerobic / Fat burning | Zone 2 (60–70%) | 90-105 | Brisk walking, steady swimming, light cycling |
| Cardiovascular endurance | Zone 3 (70–80%) | 105-120 | Jogging, moderate cycling, swim intervals |
| Speed & power | Zone 4–5 (80–100%) | 120-150 | Sprinting, HIIT, hill climbs |
Health records & directives
Health records: If you are injured or suddenly fall ill away from home, and need to be treated urgently, your medical records could be critical to the outcome of your treatment. That’s why it’s important to ensure they are accessible online. Talk to your doctor about this: see section 6.11 – Important Health Documents
Why a Will is not enough
If you are in an accident or become very ill, perhaps incapacitated, or even in a coma, who will pay your bills, arrange banking and otherwise manage your affairs?
You need to appoint someone in writing to manage your finances (a Power of Attorney) AND a document enabling someone to make healthcare decisions for you (an Enduring Guardianship and Advance Health/Medical Care Directive): see section 6.11 – Important Health Documents
Relationships
As people age, particularly from their late 60s onward, there is often a noticeable shift in social behaviour. Some people become more forthright in their communication, expressing strong opinions with less concern for how they may affect others. This can lead to misunderstandings or rifts, especially in close relationships. Cognitive changes, reduced social inhibition, and a sense of “earned honesty” can all contribute.
There is also an increasing tendency as we age to disengage from relationships that feel burdensome or misaligned. Sometimes this results in cutting ties (“de-friending”) without explanation or consideration for the feelings of the other person.
What to do – today – to improve your health
- Make a commitment to become more proactive and tell someone close to you about your decision, what you are going to do and when.
- Make a list of proactive steps you are going to take and when you are going to start on each one.
Below is a template for a proactive health plan that can be adapted by you for your specific circumstances, level of fitness and state of health.
Proactive health checklist – for the 60s and ageing well
- Regular physical activity, preferably daily, including walking
- Weight-bearing exercise for muscles, bone health and balance
- Work on mobility and flexibility (stretching, yoga, Pilates)
- Monitor cardiovascular health (BP, cholesterol, glucose, weight)
- Review medications with your doctor for interactions or side effects
- Get regular eye, hearing, and dental checks
- Continue bone health strategies (weight‑bearing exercise, nutrition)
- Protect balance with targeted exercises (single‑leg stands, tai chi)
- Maintain a nutrient‑dense diet with a variety of vegetables and legumes
- Stay mentally active (learning, reading, puzzles, hobbies)
- Pursue purposeful activities – having a purpose is important
- Keep social networks strong – loneliness is a major health risk
- Continue sun protection and skin checks remain important
- 7-9 hours of sleep per night for memory, mood and immunity
Your proactive plan
Putting your plan in writing is an important step towards improving your health. The more specific and detailed the plan is, the better. For example, instead of saying in column 2 “Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week”, it will be more effective if you say something like “Walk 2km at a brisk pace each Wednesday and Saturday morning”. Instead of saying “Maintain a consistent sleep schedule” say “Go to bed at 10 PM and get up at 6:30 AM each day”.
You may want to do this on an Excel spreadsheet so that you can put in the starting date and add columns for each day of the month to keep track of how well you are progressing with your plan. Ideally, each day you will put a tick or a cross against each step that you have decided to embark on. Remember, consistency is the key – it is better to do a little bit every day, and continue doing it until it becomes a habit (see section 9 – Healthy people have better habits), than to do too much and burn out. That means – don’t set your sights too high when you start.
If you also want to track changes to various aspects of your health after embarking on your plan, have a look at section 10.2 – Track your progress.
| Proactivity focus | Details of what I am going to do | How often | Day 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep breathing (section 6.3) | I breathe deeply [in for 4 seconds; hold for 4; out for 4; and hold again for 4] and do it for 1-2 minutes whenever I need a deep breathing boost. The trigger to remind me to do this is … [e.g. when I start to lose concentration OR when I feel tense or under stress OR when I don’t feel happy, etc] | Multiple times throughout the day | |
| Diet & nutrition (section 2) | I eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains by adding …. [state specifically what foods you are going to add to your diet] | Daily | |
| I limit sugar intake, processed foods and salt [be specific what you are going to reduce or eliminate from your diet] | Daily | ||
| I boost my microbiome with probiotic and prebiotic foods [state the specific foods e.g. fermented foods – yoghurt, sauerkraut, etc] | Daily | ||
| Exercising (section 3) | I do 30 minutes of … [e.g. brisk walking] twice per week before breakfast | Tuesday Friday | |
| I swim for 30 minutes once per week | Saturday | ||
| I do weights [or use resistance bands] to preserve muscle twice per week | Monday Thursday | ||
| I do balance exercises (e.g. tai chi, yoga) twice per week | Saturday Wednesday | ||
| I play tennis [or golf, etc] once per week | Sunday | ||
| I do a minimum of 10,000 steps every day | Daily | ||
| Medications | I check for interactions or side effects with GP or pharmacist if there are any changes in the way I feel and for any new drug | Insert date | |
| Mental health | I stay mentally active by … (e.g. puzzles, reading) See section 4.2 | Daily | |
| I learn … [e.g. about the 100 years war OR a new language OR a musical instrument] | Daily | ||
| I work on brain health [specify what you are going to do] See cognitive training section 4.2 | Insert when | ||
| I work on being positive See section 5.2 | Insert when | ||
| I take part in a purposeful activity [ e.g. volunteering or a project such as renovating part of your garden] See section 4.2 | Insert date | ||
| Mindfulness (section 5.3) | I engage in mindfulness regularly during each day. The trigger to remind me to do this is … [when I daydream OR when I find my posture is poor OR when I lose concentration OR when I walk through a doorway OR … etc] | Multiple times per day | |
| Screenings & check-ups | Blood test including PSA and blood sugar; Colonoscopy; Mammogram; Skin cancer check; Eye test; Bone density scan, etc | Insert dates (month and year) | |
| Sleep hygiene (section 6.1) | I go to bed at 10pm and get up at 6:30am | Daily | |
| No screens 1 hour before bed | Daily | ||
| Address snoring or sleep apnoea with GP | Daily | ||
| Social connections | I join a community group or interest-based club [be specific about what and when] | Insert date | |
| I stay engaged with friends and family, or community groups [be specific about what you are going to do and when] See section 4.2 | Weekly or monthly | ||
| Symptoms & early warning signs | I monitor changes to the way I feel and keep a written record of any signs that I think are unusual. See section 7.2 | Ongoing | |
| Vaccinations (section 6.8) | I get an annual flu and pneumonia shot | Insert month and year | |
| I get a shingles vaccine | Insert month and year | ||
| I get a Covid 19 booster | Insert month and year | ||
| Other | This is for other issues that may be important for you |
APPENDIX A
Physical health issues
- Arthritis: Joint wear-and-tear accumulates so, by your 60s, arthritis starts to affect more people – almost 1 in 3 Australians in this age group report symptoms. Pain, swelling and reduced range of motion can affect daily tasks. Treatment includes tailored exercise programs (including strengthening muscles to support joints) and/or medications like NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections. Early referral to a rheumatologist is recommended if symptoms escalate or involve multiple joints (see section 8.6 Arthritis)
- Bone health: Post-menopausal women and those with osteoporosis risk factors who have not had a bone density scan in their 50s should discuss this with their GP. Maintain calcium (1,200 mg/day) and vitamin D (800–1,000 units/day).
- Cardiovascular: It is important to maintain regular aerobic and strength-based exercise. Moderate-to-high intensity workouts for those people who can still engage in vigorous exercise are beneficial (section 2 Physical activity). It’s also important to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar annually (see section 8.3 – Heart disease and stroke).
- Cognitive changes: Mild memory lapses may begin; learning new information becomes harder, partly because of brain shrinkage and deteriorating connections between the neurons. This can result in slower recall and difficulty in multitasking.
- Diet, nutrition and hydration: Focus on nutrient-rich foods, fibre, lean protein and healthy fats. Aim for 6-8 cups per day of fluids. See section 2 – Diet and nutrition.
- Hearing and vision: Cataracts, glaucoma and age-related hearing loss increase.
- Heart disease: See Cardiovascular above.
- Hormonal changes: Postmenopausal and testosterone-related shifts may affect emotional well-being and metabolism. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management are all relevant for dealing with this. So is feeling engaged with life and connected to others, both of which are important factors in regulating stress hormones like cortisol.
- Injury management: Warm up and cool down before and after exercise. Soreness may reflect inflammation – use ice for the first 48 hours, then consider heat therapy. Both ice and heat should be applied for only 15 to 20 minutes and not again for one hour. Both should be applied through protective material to avoid skin damage.
- Muscular health: Maintain regular stretching, balancing and strengthening exercises, especially core and glute strength to support posture, and prevent back pain, and weight bearing exercises to slow muscle loss and support joint stability (see section 3 Physical activity)
- Osteoarthritis: See Arthritis above
- Osteoporosis: See Bone Health above
- Physical activity is essential for good health (see section 3 Physical activity) and, ironically, it will actually increase available energy for future use. This is because of the effect it has on your mitochondria – the tiny “batteries” in your cells that convert food into energy. Resistance or weight-bearing exercise strengthens those little batteries, and aerobic exercise (e.g. fast walking) will multiply the number of batteries (see section 3.4 Mitochondria).
- Respiratory: Breathing problems, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, become more common, often undiagnosed until breathlessness starts to affect daily activities. Asthma may also worsen due to reduced lung elasticity. Screening involves lung function tests and symptom tracking. Vaccinations (flu and pneumococcal) are essential to reduce complications.
- Sleep quality: Sleep may become lighter and/or more fragmented. If ongoing tiredness, consider a sleep assessment to rule out apnoea or other disruptions (see section 6.1 Sleep). If you feel more than tiredness, and it persists for more than 2 weeks, talk to your GP – it could be fatigue.
APPENDIX B
Disease & illness risks
- Cancer: Bowel cancer screening is recommended every two years during your 60s. Screening is important so continue skin checks and mammograms.
- Diabetes (Type 2): Risk increases so it is important to monitor blood sugar, particularly if you have a family history or if you start putting on weight or do not do regular exercise.
- Heart disease: The risk of heart failure, arrhythmias and vascular disease increases as blood vessels stiffen and blood pressure rises so it’s important to monitor symptoms of heart disease (breathlessness, swelling, etc); maintain healthy weight; avoid processed foods, smoking and excess alcohol (see section 8.3 – Heart disease and stroke); get your blood pressure checked and have an annual blood test including blood sugar and cholesterol. Ask your GP about a calcium score to gauge whether there are any blockages that can be present even when cholesterol is within the acceptable range.
- Medication safety: Some people need to take multiple medications at the same time. This increases the risk of side effects and adverse interactions between drugs so, if they are prescribed by different doctors, it’s very important for your GP or pharmacist to review your medications periodically.
- Mental health: Loneliness, grief and cognitive changes may need to be addressed including the risk of depression, anxiety and dementia. Changes are often linked to retirement, isolation or caregiving stress. It’s important to continue with social connections and purposeful activities which regulate stress hormones. If you notice any cognitive impairment or mood swings, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP about screening.
- Osteoporosis becomes more common, especially for postmenopausal women. Bone density scans may be warranted. Management includes calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise and sometimes medication.
- Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or a bleed. As a test of whether someone has had a stroke, remember the acronym: F.A.S.T. Face (drooping), Arm (weakness), Speech (difficulty), and Time (to call emergency services – fast!). Other symptoms may include sudden confusion, vision changes, dizziness or severe headache. Stroke risk increases with age, but it can begin to rise significantly from age 45 onward, especially in individuals with high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), diabetes or high cholesterol. The most vulnerable group is those aged 65. To reduce risk, regular health checks are essential – particularly for blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rhythm. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and managing chronic conditions like diabetes can dramatically lower stroke risk. If atrial fibrillation is present, medical management is crucial to prevent clot formation. Stroke prevention is possible: over 80% of strokes are preventable with proactive care.
- Thyroid: Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, so imbalances can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts and temperature sensitivity. The risk of a thyroid disorder increases in our 60s and can be detected by a blood test. Consistent treatment means people can live normal lives but, untreated, it can lead to complications such as heart failure, stroke, infertility or severe depression.