
When you're young, you think you'll live forever. When you're old, you wish you'd taken better care of your health. This story is for all ages. A crucial step towards staying fit forever is to be informed about what routine tests and preventative care you should get at every age, and how often. We consulted the experts—including the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—for the latest official recommendations.
20s and 30s

You feel invincible at this age. That's exactly why you should pay attention to this story. A few quick tests and vaccines can ensure you stay as fit as you feel. Click ahead to take a look.
20s and 30s: Check-Up

Get a regular check-up. Some studies suggest that annual physical exams may not be necessary. Ask your doctor what's right for you, and check in at least once a year.
20s and 30s: Flu

Get a flu shot every year.
20s and 30s: Blood Pressure

Have your blood pressure checked every two to three years, unless you have risk factors and should be tested more often.
20s and 30s: Cholesterol

Have your cholesterol and related factors for heart disease checked every four to six years.
20s and 30s: Diabetes

If you have risk factors for diabetes or prediabetes, be tested regularly (ask your doctor what's optimal).
20s and 30s: Pap Test

Women between ages 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every three years. Women between 30 and 39 should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years.
20s and 30s: STD Testing

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for STDs and whether you should be screened regularly.
20s and 30s: Tetanus

Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.
20s and 30s: Tdap

Have a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years.
20s and 30s: HPV

If you're age 26 or younger, get the HPV vaccine if you haven't been previously immunized.
20s and 30s: Additional Vaccines

Ask your doctor whether additional vaccines (such as hepatitis A and B, varicella and meningococcal disease) are right for you.
20s and 30s: Alcohol and Tobacco

Talk with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
20s and 30s: Exercise

Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week, with two days of strength training weekly.
40s and 50s

This is the age where you still feel young—but your body disagrees. You get injured more, your metabolism slows, and you start to feel like once you've solved one little health problem, another appears. Click ahead, follow the advice, and you should be able to see the doctor less.
40s and 50s: Check-Up

Get a regular check-up, according to your doctor's recommendations.
40s and 50s: Flu

Get a flu shot every year.
40s and 50s: Diabetes

Adults over age 45 should be tested for diabetes or prediabetes. If results are normal, repeat every three years (although your doctor may recommend more frequent testing, depending on results and risk factors).
40s and 50s: Cholesterol

Have your cholesterol and related factors for heart disease checked every four to six years.
40s and 50s: Blood Pressure

Have your blood pressure tested at least every two years.
40s and 50s: Heart Attack

Have your doctor calculate your 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
40s and 50s: Mammogram

Women should have an annual mammogram from ages 45 to 54. After that, you can have one every one or two years, the American Cancer Society says.
40s and 50s: Pap Test & HPV

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years until age 65.
40s and 50s: Prostate Cancer

Men over age 55 should discuss the pros and cons of the PSA test for prostate cancer with their doctor.
40s and 50s: Colon Cancer

Everyone over age 45 should be tested for colon cancer, either through an annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy. If colonoscopy results are normal, repeat every 10 years.
40s and 50s: Shingles

Adults 50 and over should get the shingles vaccine every five years.
40s and 50s: Tetanus

Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.
40s and 50s: Tdap

Have a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years.
40s and 50s: Additional Vaccines

Ask your doctor whether additional vaccines (such as hepatitis A and B, varicella and meningococcal disease) are right for you.
40s and 50s: STDs

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for STDs and whether you should be screened regularly.
40s and 50s: Alcohol and Tobacco

Talk with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
40s and 50s: Exercise

Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week, with two days of strength training weekly.
60s and 70s

This isn't the end of your life; it's the beginning of your best life. Your Golden Years can be tarnished unless you take the following precautions. Click on to read them.
60s and 70s: Check-Up

Get a regular check-up, according to your doctor's recommendations.
60s and 70s: Flu

Get a flu shot every year.
60s and 70s: Diabetes

Get a diabetes test at least every three years (although your doctor may recommend you be tested more often, depending on results and risk factors).
60s and 70s: Cholesterol

Have your cholesterol and related factors for heart disease checked every four to six years.
60s and 70s: Blood Pressure

Have your blood pressure tested at least every two years.
60s and 70s: Heart Attack

Have your doctor calculate your 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
60s and 70s: Mammogram

Women should have a mammogram every one to two years. After age 75, ask your doctor if routine screening is still necessary.
60s and 70s: Pap Test and HPV

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years until age 65.
60s and 70s: Colon Cancer

Be tested for colon cancer, either through an annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy. If colonoscopy results are normal, repeat every 10 years until age 75.
60s and 70s: Bone Density

Women should have a baseline bone density scan at age 65, and men at 70.
60s and 70s: Prostate Cancer

Men should discuss the pros and cons of the PSA test for prostate cancer with their doctor.
60s and 70s: Shingles

Adults 50 and over should get the shingles vaccine every five years.
60s and 70s: Pneumonia

After age 65, ask your doctor if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.
60s and 70s: Tetanus

Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.
60s and 70s: Tdap

Have a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years.
60s and 70s: Additional Vaccines

Ask your doctor whether additional vaccines (such as hepatitis A and B, varicella and meningococcal disease) are right for you.
60s and 70s: STDs

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for STDs and whether you should be screened regularly.
60s and 70s: Alcohol and Tobacco

Talk with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
60s and 70s: Exercise

Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week, with two days of strength training weekly.
And to avoid having to go to the doctor at all, don't miss this essential list of the 101 Unhealthiest Habits on the Planet.