Entering your 40s often comes with a new reality that your body may not give loud warnings when something is off. Many of the most serious conditions that develop in midlife can build slowly and quietly for years. That is why routine checks become less about reacting to symptoms and more about spotting risk early. General practitioner Dr. Dean Eggitt points to four straightforward screenings that can reveal hidden problems before they turn into major health events.
The first is a lipid panel, which looks at cholesterol and other fats in your blood that are closely tied to heart and stroke risk. As we age, the body can become less efficient at clearing harmful cholesterol from the bloodstream, which can contribute to clogged arteries and higher blood pressure over time. Doctors typically pay close attention to LDL, often called bad cholesterol, because elevated levels can lead to plaque buildup that narrows blood vessels. HDL is often called good cholesterol because it helps carry LDL away for processing, which is why having enough of it matters.
For context, Dr. Eggitt notes that LDL is ideally kept under about 155 mg per dL, while HDL is ideally above about 39 mg per dL for men and about 46 mg per dL for women. A lipid panel also measures triglycerides, another type of fat that rises with certain dietary patterns and metabolic issues. Triglycerides are found in many everyday foods and are not automatically harmful, but high levels can be a red flag when paired with other risks. The practical takeaway is that a lipid panel gives you a clearer picture of cardiovascular strain before you feel anything at all.
The second check focuses on kidney function, because kidney problems can also progress with little to no early symptoms. Your kidneys help filter waste, balance fluids, and play a role in blood pressure regulation. A common blood test looks at serum creatinine, which helps clinicians estimate how well your kidneys are filtering toxins from your blood. When creatinine is elevated, it can suggest impaired kidney function and it often prompts follow up testing and closer monitoring.
Dr. Eggitt warns that chronic kidney disease can go unnoticed for a long time and that aging and high blood pressure can raise the risk. He adds that “it is estimated that at least one million people are currently living with this disease without even realizing it”. That matters because kidney issues can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially when they are not caught early. Regular monitoring gives patients a better chance to address contributing factors before the condition becomes severe.
The third check is blood sugar, with special attention to HbA1c, which reflects average blood glucose levels over a longer period rather than a single moment in time. High blood sugar can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms appear, which is why this test is so useful in midlife. Persistently elevated HbA1c is linked to diabetes related complications, including nerve damage and vision problems. It can also signal a risk of emergencies like diabetic ketoacidosis in people whose blood glucose remains uncontrolled.
It is also important to know that blood sugar can spike temporarily due to stress, illness, or inactivity, which can confuse people who rely on occasional spot checks. HbA1c helps cut through that noise by showing whether levels have been running high over time. Lifestyle strategies often emphasized for healthier blood sugar include balanced meals with fewer refined carbohydrates, regular physical activity, and consistent meal timing. If your results are trending upward, catching that shift early can give you more options to reverse course.
The fourth check is blood pressure, one of the most common health problems that many adults have without realizing it. A typical healthy range for adults is often cited from about 90 over 60 to 120 over 80. Dr. Eggitt highlights that people over 40 are often advised to aim for around 115 over 75 to reduce the risk of heart attack over time. Readings above about 135 over 85 at home, or 140 over 90 in a clinical setting, are commonly considered high.
Blood pressure rarely causes noticeable symptoms, which is exactly why it is dangerous when it is ignored. Regular measurements, including occasional at home readings taken correctly, can reveal whether your numbers are rising. Lifestyle changes can make a measurable difference, including losing excess weight if needed, reducing alcohol and caffeine, and increasing movement. Many guidelines also point to a target of at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which is about two and a half hours.
Dr. Eggitt’s overall message is that midlife is a pivotal window for prevention, because the choices you make now can shape the decades ahead. He says, “Caring for your body in middle age is crucial,” and adds, “Blood tests are one of the best ways to check whether your health is okay and to spot potential warning signs before it is too late.” These four checks work together because they touch the heart, kidneys, metabolism, and circulation, systems that are deeply connected. A single abnormal result does not automatically mean something is wrong, but it can be an early sign that you should investigate further with a clinician.
To put these tests in broader context, a lipid panel is usually a standard blood draw that reports total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, giving a snapshot of cardiovascular risk factors that can often be improved over time. Kidney function tests commonly include creatinine and an estimated filtration rate, which help track whether the kidneys are doing their job efficiently. HbA1c is widely used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes because it reflects longer term blood sugar patterns rather than a single day’s fluctuations. Blood pressure can be influenced by stress, sleep, sodium intake, medications, and activity levels, which is why repeat measurements and proper technique matter when interpreting results.
If you are in your 40s or approaching that milestone, talk with your healthcare provider about how often you should schedule these four checks based on your personal and family history, and share your thoughts in the comments.
