What health checks do I need in my 40s and 50s?

It can be hard to put your health first. But in your 40s and 50s, the risk of things like heart diseases and cancer increase. Making healthy lifestyle choices and keeping up with health checks now can help you spot issues early, giving you the best chance to stay well and active for years to come.

Here’s a handy checklist of what to discuss with your doctor at your next appointment:

• Cancer & screenings
• Risk of chronic diseases
• Mental wellbeing
• Kidneys
• Joint health
• Skin conditions

Are you up to date with these regular health checks?

• A dental check-up
• An eye check-up
• A hearing check-up

Why are these health checks important at this stage of life?

Cancer & screenings – These checks are vital in your 40s and 50s as they detect cancers early, when they're most treatable.

For women, the risk of breast cancer starts to rise in your 40s, so it’s recommended to have mammograms every year until age 50. Cervical screenings should also continue every three to five years, depending on your situation. The good news is that, as part of the national screening programme, mammograms are free if you’re between the ages of 45 and 69, and cervical screenings from ages 25 to 69.

Bowel screenings are becoming more accessible for people in their 50s too, with the starting age for free nationwide testing lowering from 60 to 58 from March 2026.

Depending on your age, sex, and family history, your medical practitioner may talk with you about additional screenings for conditions like skin cancer, testicular cancer so you can catch potential issues early.

Risk of chronic disease - As we move through middle age, it’s important to monitor the risk of developing chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and respiratory issues. Many of these conditions can develop quietly over time, with few obvious symptoms until they become more serious.

Your doctor can keep an eye on things like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, identify early warning signs, provide personalised advice, and help you make changes that can reduce your risk. For some, a family history of chronic disease can make these checks even more important.

Mental Wellbeing – Illness, financial pressures, career changes, marital problems, divorce, or the loss of loved ones can all take a toll on your emotional wellbeing. Discussing mental health with your doctor can provide the space to address challenges, develop coping strategies, and build resilience, helping you navigate life transitions while maintaining balance and overall wellbeing.

For women, you might also be experiencing perimenopause, which usually starts in your mid 40s, 8 to 10 years before menopause. Recent research has found that the risk of depression can increase by 40 percent during this period, bringing significant emotional and mental health changes.

Kidneys – Kidney disease often has no early symptoms because it develops slowly over years. Symptoms that do show up are often general, appearing in the later stages, including tiredness, puffiness or swelling around the eyes or ankles, loss of appetite, and changes in how much you go to the toilet.

Because of this quiet progression, regular kidney checks with a doctor are recommended, especially for at-risk groups like Māori and Pacific peoples, as well as those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or people who are at an unhealthy weight.

Joint health – Osteoarthritis is one of the most common cause of disability as you get older. That’s why joint health checks are important as they can catch early signs of these conditions and other forms of arthritis, developing at this age due to natural wear-and-tear or injury. Talking to your doctor about joint health allows for earlier treatment, improving your ability to manage symptoms, maintain mobility, and contribute to your long-term wellbeing.

Skin conditions – In your 40s and 50s, the years of sun exposure might start to show - from fine lines and sunspots to changes in skin texture. These are the decades when your risk of skin cancer increases, especially given New Zealand’s high UV levels. Regular skin checks with a professional can pick up suspicious spots early, when treatment is most effective, and make a big difference to your long-term health.

Dental check-up – Dental checks are important as this is when gum disease, cavities, or early signs of tooth wear can develop, especially if you’ve had dental issues in the past or your lifestyle habits, like diet, smoking, or stress, have changed over time. You might also be more susceptible to age-related dental concerns such as dry mouth and conditions affecting oral health, making regular checks an important step for maintaining overall health.

Most adults are advised to see their dentist every six months, though your dentist may recommend more or less, depending on your needs.

Eye check-up – This is often a time when age-related changes in vision start to show. Conditions like presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close-up objects) are common in this stage of life, which is why many people suddenly find themselves reaching for reading glasses. An optometrist also assesses your overall eye health and the risk of more serious issues, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration.

By making eye checks part of your health routine now, you can protect your vision for the years ahead and catch issues before they become harder to manage. It's essential to have an eye exam every two years during this age.

Hearing check-up – It’s common to notice subtle changes in your hearing during your 40s and 50s. You might find it harder to follow conversations in a noisy café, or need to turn the TV up louder than before. While this can feel like just “part of getting older,” it’s important not to brush it off until conditions worsen.

Rather than letting it affect your relationships, social life, or even your memory and focus over time, a quick check-up can give you peace of mind and, if needed, access to treatment options and support like hearing aids.

For a full list of the health checks you and your family should be keeping up with at every stage of life, check out the nib Warrant of Wellness.

This is all part of maintaining balance in your lives, so your health can thrive for years to come. Our health tool, nib Balance via the my nib app, gives our members an overall view of their health (including a gauge of their physical health) and provides expert programmes and advice to get them back on track.

Learn more about nib Balance here.