Health checks for women over 60

Updated August 2023 | 5 min read
Contributor Dr Billy Stoupas, general practitioner
Words by Mariella Attard

The age of 60 may be the new 50, but it still comes with a few more recommended regular health checks. Getting a heart health check and other health checks can help you monitor your health and wellbeing. Here are some routine checks to add to your calendar.

While there are certain types of health checks that should have become routine by the time we reach middle age, like mammograms, cervical cancer checks, skin cancer and dental checks, there are others that become especially pertinent after the age of 60.

Dr Billy Stoupas, who works with many over-60 patients in his Melbourne general practice, explains some of the regular health checks for over 60s that should be in your calendar after that big birthday.

Heart health check

Symptoms of heart disease can look different in women and in men. For example, while men experience chest pain and shortness of breath during a heart attack, women can experience fatigue, dizziness, vomiting or sweating. Heart Research Australia says heart disease kills twice as many Australian women than breast cancer.

A heart health check will measure your blood pressure and cholesterol, and help your GP determine your likelihood of having a stroke or a heart attack, so you can start changing your lifestyle and reducing your risks.

Australians aged 45 and over can claim a heart health check on Medicare, and eligible HCF members in NSW and Vic with extras cover aged 18 and over can access heart health checks thanks to our partnership with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

And HCF members living with a heart condition or type 2 diabetes may be eligible for The COACH program^®*. Delivered by qualified health professionals, this telephone support program is provided by health coaches, at no extra cost for eligible members^* with heart conditions or diabetes. Email coach@hcf.com.au to check if you're eligible.

How can I check my heart health?

There are many tests to diagnose or determine your risk of heart disease. One of the ways is getting a heart health check. You can get a heart health check done by your GP, by going to a medical centre or the Victor Chang mobile testing service.

What is a heart health check?

A heart health check is a health assessment which can include a review of your medical history, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol intake. Getting a heart health check can help you assess your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Osteoporosis risk assessment

While anyone can develop osteoporosis, it’s more likely to be a problem for older women. In self-reported data conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 29% of women aged 75 and over had osteoporosis compared to 10% of men. That’s because changing hormone levels can cause bones to lose calcium quickly during menopause and women generally have smaller, lighter bones than men. "If you have osteoporosis and you have a fall, you increase your risk of breaking something, and that can lead to a loss of independence," says Dr Stoupas. "So, we [GPs] check every year to assess that risk."

You can always make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of osteoporosis, Dr Stoupas says. This includes doing more weight-bearing exercise and adding more calcium and vitamin D into your diet which can help improve your bone strength.

Carrying extra weight can take its toll at any stage and age. That’s why we’ve partnered with Prima Health Solutions to give you free access to the Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life program, designed for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joints.

The program aims to support HCF members who want to reduce the pain in their joints, improve their mobility or prepare for hip or knee surgery. It’s open to members who've held hospital cover that covers joint replacement surgery for 2 months, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 and higher, who have knee or hip osteoarthritis and are considering joint replacement surgery.

Hearing and eye checks

At age 60, your eyesight and hearing may not be what they used to be but doing something about it can make life more enjoyable and have flow-on benefits. Eye tests, for example, can pick up diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and melanoma, and they can tip you off about things like diabetes and high blood pressure. “Hearing and vision loss are also a big contributor to falls,” says Dr Stoupas.

HCF's More for Hearing network partner Connect Hearing offers an online Speech Perception Test and your HCF extras cover may make you eligible for free digital retinal imaging with your eye test through participating More for Eyes providers in our network.

Bowel cancer screening

Australians aged 50 to 74 get a free kit for bowel screening in the mail every few years.

According to Bowel Cancer Australia, bowel cancer is the third deadliest cancer in women and approximately one in 15 women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime.

If found early, almost 99% of bowel cancer can be treated successfully, says Bowel Cancer Australia. Even though Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, just 40% of people take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Call 1800 118 868 to order a bowel cancer testing kit if you haven’t received one or if your test has passed its use-by date. If your age falls outside the range of the national program, you may be able to make an HCF claim for a test.

Stay up to date with your vaccinations

As we age, the body’s immune response gradually deteriorates, meaning it pays to stay on top of your vaccinations. NSW Health recommends adults over the age of 70 get a shingles and a pneumococcal disease vaccination, and influenza is especially serious for people aged over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and people with certain medical conditions, so it’s worth considering getting an annual flu jab as well. For people aged 65 and older, the flu vaccine is free. The shingles and pneumococcal vaccinations are free after the age of 70.

Older people tend to have weaker immune systems which makes them more likely to contract COVID-19. The Australian government recommends that older people get vaccinated and keep up with booster shots. COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia.

Booster shots of vaccinations you’ve had in younger years – like diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough – will ‘boost’ your immune system and should also be considered. Talk to your GP about what shots you’ve had in the past and what you might need now.

Type 2 diabetes check

Your 60s can be a decade of great change, and your risk of type 2 diabetes can change, too.

"At 60, the pancreas doesn’t work as well as it once did, and there are multiple other factors when it comes to diabetes," says GP, Dr Stoupas. "Some people might be more active and eat the right things, others might become more high risk."

A simple fasting blood sugar (glucose) test, organised by your GP, can put you on a path to the changes needed to avoid lifelong complications.