Staying Healthy

Overdue for a check-up?

Letting too much time elapse between preventive care visits is risky. Here's how to get back on track.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
  • Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

photo of a woman having a blood pressure reading taken in an exam room

Sandra was deeply in denial. Diagnosed with high blood pressure in her 50s, she just didn't want to accept that she was among the 30% to 50% of Americans in her age range with this major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Sandra stopped making medical appointments and eventually ran out of her blood pressure medication.

But her refusal to seek regular health care led to disastrous results: Sandra suffered a massive stroke. Now in her 80s, "she walks with a limp, while one of her arms is barely usable," says Dr. Daniel Sands, a primary care doctor at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "She's going to deal with the ramifications for the rest of her life."

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About the Author

photo of Maureen Salamon

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Maureen Salamon is executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later covered health and medicine for a wide variety of websites, magazines, and hospitals. Her work has … See Full Bio
View all posts by Maureen Salamon

About the Reviewer

photo of Toni Golen, MD

Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … See Full Bio
View all posts by Toni Golen, MD

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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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