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Executive Health
Executive health: A decade by decade guide
YOUR 60s
Appreciation or Regret?
Kallas at UF Health says the 60s are when he sees the toll of an executive lifestyle on his patients’ health. Orthopedic concerns are an example; some patients who didn’t stay fit earlier in life want to make up for lost opportunity, but they can’t because they are in pain with their hips or knees or back, he says.
About a third of people have insufficient vitamin D by the time they reach their 60s, which is important to remedy because it may play a role in fighting cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
At this age, doctors recommend a memory screening and a gait and balance assessment. “If we find a problem, we would refer you to a physical therapist or trainer,” Kallas says.
Because thinning of the bones occurs in the 60s, Kallas recommends both women and men get a measure of bone density. The bones that are most commonly tested are located in the spine, hip and forearm; a screening would determine if you have osteoporosis — a disease that causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break.
Physicians also advised paying close attention to blood pressure. If high, it could put you at risk of a heart attack.
During the last decade, the number of Americans with high blood pressure has increased by 30%. According to the Centers for Disease Control, only half of people with high blood pressure have their condition under control. Age is a major risk factor of hypertension. Rippe notes that blood pressure increases with age in both men and women and more than half of Americans over age 60 have hypertension. “What you do in your daily life can help. You can lose weight, get regular exercise, lower your salt intake and increase your potassium. But you still may need to be on medication.”
One of the complications of high blood pressure is sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during sleep. If a patient is getting less than seven hours of sleep, awakening during the night or rising in the morning feeling fatigued, Moon recommends he or she see a sleep specialist. “Getting too little sleep can increase your risk for certain health problems,” he says.
Eye health becomes even more necessary in the 60s, Awdeh says. Now is the time to get examined for cataracts, particularly in Florida because UV rays accelerate cataract growth, he says. If you need surgery, you will find the treatment has become advanced, he says. “The precision of the laser has improved. It can eliminate astigmatism (blurred vision from the irregular shape of the cornea) and give you excellent vision after surgery,” says Awdeh. Getting a hearing screening is a good idea, too.
If you have made some unhealthy lifestyle choices in prior decades, now it becomes even more important to take care of not only your physical health, but also your mental and emotional health. Dr. Harry at Oasis Wellness and Rejuvenation Center in Orlando says professionals’ risk of anxiety and depression starts escalating in their 60s. “We are more prone to mood disorders so it becomes important to make sure you have social interaction. Executives have a way of isolating themselves when they are busy with work.”
YOUR 70s
Winding Down
Physicians say those who are engaged in their jobs tend to be in good shape. “Often, they enjoy their work and are fulfilled by what they do,” Moon says.
In the 70s, executives likely will notice changes in their energy levels, body shapes and ability to resist and control infections. Doctors recommend annual flu shots, more careful attention to preventive screenings, regular vision and hearing exams and at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.
