Your Health Checklist at Any Age

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.

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.

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.

Get a flu shot every year.

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

Have your cholesterol and related factors for heart disease checked every four to six years.

If you have risk factors for diabetes or prediabetes, be tested regularly (ask your doctor what's optimal).

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.

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for STDs and whether you should be screened regularly.

Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.

Have a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years.

If you're age 26 or younger, get the HPV vaccine if you haven't been previously immunized.

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

Talk with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

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

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.

Get a regular check-up, according to your doctor's recommendations.

Get a flu shot every year.

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).

Have your cholesterol and related factors for heart disease checked every four to six years.

Have your blood pressure tested at least every two years.

Have your doctor calculate your 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

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.

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years until age 65.

Men over age 55 should discuss the pros and cons of the PSA test for prostate cancer with their doctor.

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.

Adults 50 and over should get the shingles vaccine every five years.

Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.

Have a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years.

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

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for STDs and whether you should be screened regularly.

Talk with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

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

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.

Get a regular check-up, according to your doctor's recommendations.

Get a flu shot every year.

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).

Have your cholesterol and related factors for heart disease checked every four to six years.

Have your blood pressure tested at least every two years.

Have your doctor calculate your 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Women should have a mammogram every one to two years. After age 75, ask your doctor if routine screening is still necessary.

Women should have a Pap test and HPV test every five years until age 65.

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.

Women should have a baseline bone density scan at age 65, and men at 70.

Men should discuss the pros and cons of the PSA test for prostate cancer with their doctor.

Adults 50 and over should get the shingles vaccine every five years.

After age 65, ask your doctor if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.

Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.

Have a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years.

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

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for STDs and whether you should be screened regularly.

Talk with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

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.