Health Concerns for Women in Their 50s

Women in their 50’s don’t have to feel like they’re over the hill. A lot of women revel in this special time of their lives and feel a sense of renewal. They have the opportunity to devote their time to their own interests. It is also a decade to become more aware of your body and the issues that come with aging. Here are some health concerns that women in their 50s should discuss with their physician.

1. Heart Disease

As women age, their risk for developing heart disease steadily increases. Heart disease is a leading cause of death and disability in women. Having high blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly is vital. It is important to maintain a low sodium, low saturated fat diet. Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes is also necessary when trying to reduce the chances of developing heart disease.

2. Breast Cancer

When women move in to menopause, their risk of developing breast cancer begins to rise. Approximately 1 in 40 women will develop the disease in their 50s. It is more important than ever to take care of yourself. Get an annual mammogram, clinical exam and remember to check your own breasts, drink less alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet and exercise to help reduce the risk of developing this disease.

3. Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women. It most often occurs in women in their 50s. If detected early, ovarian cancer can be cured 90-95% of the time. Early detection is not easy because there are no adequate tools. Many times the cancer spreads to other organs, which makes treating or even curing the disease more difficult. If you have a family history of the disease, early menopause or have never given birth, you are more at risk for developing ovarian cancer. So, see your gynecologist regularly.

4. Osteoporosis

You probably don’t think about it, but bone is living tissue. Osteoporosis is a silent and serious disease. It is not a normal part of aging. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle, making those with the disease more prone to fractures. Hip fractures especially can lead to chronic pain and disability, decreased independence and lower quality of life. So, see your doctor about osteoporosis screening.

5. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure affects women more as they age. Half of all women over age 50 have high blood pressure. You can prevent high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, omitting salt from your diet, lowering alcohol consumption and reducing stress.

6. Depression

Nurturing healthy relationships with family and friends in your 50s is important for physical and mental health. Women who have supportive and positive social networks are much less likely to suffer from depression and the accompanying ailments. Allowing yourself to withdraw and become isolated as you grow older is extremely unhealthy. Try getting involved in the community or why not be a grandparent for a day – the point is to stay “connected” physically and mentally.

More than ever, the focus should be on eating right, exercising, reducing the amount of stress in your life and seeing your health care professional regularly to manage any conditions you may already have and for early detection of others, so you can keep going and enjoying life.