As you get a bit older, how’s your health?

[ididntexpectthat]

I turned 50 this year and so far, apart from high blood pressure (controlled by meds), my health has been ok. Both my parents had/have bad health from age 45+ with heart and kidney issues but also, on both sides of our family, everyone has always struggled with their weight too. I have too but have recently lost 2.5 stone and I’m working on the final 1.5 stone - which I know will help with my overall health.

So just wondering about others. If you’ve been an averagely healthy person most of your life, has your health changed in some way from age 45 or 50 or beyond? Was there a sudden event or you just found things started to decline a bit? Or maybe you’re fine! If so, what has been the secret?

I'm almost 58 and, apart from high blood pressure, have no health issues and am generally aches and pains free.

I'm a couple of stone overweight but exercise regularly - long distance runner.

Shit to be honest. 51 and a lifetime of stress and previous injuries/ops taking it's toll physically, although more MSK than heart and other vital organs I hope! I DO need to give up smoking 🚭

I'm 51 and doing fine. When peri really got stuck in, I dropped breakfast and started fasting and that has been good. I make sure we eat nutrients every day and I drink tons of water. I had one health issue which I've made sure I never got again through eating better. I also changed my exercise habits, slower now, but got to do it or I know about it. Otherwise all looking good! Growing older doesn't seem so bad really does it? The peace and experience in handling things.

I'm nearly 70, and am in fine fettle. Nothing wrong with me at all.

I was in fabulous health until I was 60. Slim, ate well, exercised and rarely drank alcohol. Not on any medication. Was diagnosed with cancer 3 months after my 60th birthday.

My oncologist says because I was so well 'going in' to cancer treatment, that's why I did well. I'm okay now (still not overweight, eat well, exercise etc) but my peace of mind has disappeared. I did everything 'right' 🫤

Only just over 45 now but no health issues as I age. I have MS so it’s not true to say no health issues at all, but that’s not age-related, I was diagnosed 13 years ago and it’s very well managed with medication. Also I’m a bit overweight but I don’t really like the phrase “struggled with weight” as that implies that I’m trying to lose it but can’t - the fact is that I haven’t made any effort. I do have a good level of fitness as I walk, run and dance.

58 here and no health issues either apart from high cholesterol (addressed with statins so now fine). I also exercise a lot - mix of strength, flexibility and (slow!) running. Fingers crossed it stays this way..

I'm 61 and touch wood I'm fine so far, apart from medicated high blood pressure.

This thread could turn into lots of people saying their good health is down to how they eat and exercise, and while those things can definitely help, they don’t help everyone. People still get cancer, they have genes that give them heart disease and so on. Sometimes there is only so much you can do

Better than when I was 40 (turned 50 this year). Peri kicked my mind, body and soul in the worst way, so I bit the bullet early in the year, procured the services of a nutritionist, did a 3 month programme to lose weight, develop better habits, manage stress better and get more active. It worked!

I’m 56, I’ve had a lot of skin cancer but seem to have got it all at an early stage.
Other than that I take HRT but no other medications or any health conditions. I get a cold about every three years and a cold/flu/virus about every four years.
I had shingles in the summer which was nasty but no long term pain or anything.
I have suffered from poor mental health in the past but thanks to therapy that’s all good now.

Was fine until I hit 60 then I developed autoimmune hypothyroidism and haven't been OK since (a decade later). To be fair I would have inherited the tendency from my mother who had thyroid disease as well. Since then have developed various intolerances and allergies, enough to make me feel unwell or just plain exhausted on a daily basis. I did eat healthily when younger but I do think genetics (and stress) also play their part.

I hit 50 and went into fast AF out the blue (during the COVID years)needing an ablation. Still on beta blockers three years later with regular daily ectopics, bumps and blips. I have permanent pulsatile tinnitus in one year that bizarrely started at the same time. Think I’m stuck with that. MRI was clear.
Have lost two stone this year and back in healthy range. Very rarely drink. Probably need to be more active. On HRT.
My BP and bloods are fine.

Yes, this is me.

58
no health issues
BP, weight, cholesterol, vit/min/bloods stats etc etc all normal
No aches, pains or anything
Menopause hasn’t ever affected me which I’m enormously thankful for
Haven't had a cold or illness of any kind in years and years, no idea why tbh.

Good point. I should have made a distinction between chronic and acute ill-health. Chronic ill health can be age related and acute is often the unpredictable stuff like cancer, strokes etc.

Is that what acute ill health is?

52
Pretty healthy really. I lost a ton of weight the last couple of years and now I generally eat healthier and exercise.
I'm on HRT for peri, have a little bit of arthritis due to past wear and tear. Also the beginnings of cataracts.

I think acute would be more things like accident related, appendicitis, etc. something sudden onset that will end.

It's now well-known that most of the previously accepted "age-related" chronic health conditions are due to lack of physical movement and poor diet.

I'm 67 and in fine fettle, had a couple of basal cell carcinomas but that's about it.

55 and am in great health.
Anything I get isn’t age related.
Slightly low iron sometimes (wouldn’t even know if I didn’t donate blood). I run a lot and get niggles and get daft over use injuries.
The only thing I’d say is age-related is finding night driving harder and also being really nervous cycling if the road is wet or leafy.

58 and fit as a flea. On HRT & no plans to come off it any time soon.

Slim, fit, healthy eating 60 year old here but suffer from osteoarthritis in my hands which is painful and makes me feel very old - having to ask for help opening jars, plastic bottles etc. Don't think there's anything I could have done to avoid it.

Pretty bad! But none of it is my fault! I have epilepsy, MS and a rare disease called COL4A1 which has given me a stroke, eye problems and kidney problems among others things. Worst of it all is that both my sons have it ... and the only gc in the family.