What should elderly people pay attention to during winter physical examinations

Winter physical examinations for the elderly should focus on screening for cardiovascular, respiratory, joint, and metabolic diseases. It is recommended to include blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose and lipid testing, bone density testing, lung CT scans, and other items.

1. Cardiovascular examination

Cold winter can easily induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and blood pressure monitoring and electrocardiogram examination should be performed. Hypertensive patients need to undergo 24-hour dynamic blood pressure assessment, and high-risk individuals for coronary heart disease are recommended to undergo carotid artery ultrasound and cardiac ultrasound. Avoid vigorous exercise three days before the physical examination, and measure blood pressure on an empty stomach in the morning for more accurate results.

2. Respiratory screening

Low air temperature can easily cause acute attacks of chronic bronchitis. It is recommended to undergo lung function tests and chest CT scans. Long term smokers should be screened for pulmonary nodules, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should have their blood oxygen saturation tested. On the day of the physical examination, avoid wearing a mask for too long, as it may affect respiratory parameters.

III. Bone and Joint Assessment

The risk of falls increases in winter, and bone density testing and joint X-ray examination are required. Osteoporosis patients are advised to increase vitamin D level testing, while osteoarthritis patients should pay attention to knee joint weight-bearing radiographs. Avoid calcium supplements interfering with test results before physical examination.

Fourth, metabolic index testing

includes fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and blood lipids. Urinary microalbumin should be measured in patients with diabetes, and renal function should be checked in patients with hyperuricemia. Maintain a normal diet for 3 days before the physical examination to avoid deliberate dieting that may affect the authenticity of the data.

Fifth, tumor markers

can selectively detect indicators such as CEA and CA199 for high-risk tumors in the elderly, such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer. People with a family history suggest increasing gastroscopy examinations. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs that may interfere with the results one week before blood collection.

It is recommended to choose the 9-11am time slot for winter physical examination and wear loose and easy to remove clothing. Ensure sufficient sleep the night before the physical examination, and drink a small amount of warm water in the morning. After the examination, eat hot Congee and other easily digestible food in time, and pay attention to keeping warm and cold. The physical examination report should be brought to the outpatient department for interpretation by a specialist doctor, and any abnormal indicators should be rechecked and confirmed within 1-2 weeks. It is necessary to maintain moderate indoor exercise in daily life, ventilate 2-3 times a day, and control the room temperature between 18-22 degrees Celsius.