50 health secrets every woman over 50 should know

Less than 25 percent of the sun’s damage to your skin takes place before you turn 18 years old – protecting your skin is a life-long process, according to a study published by the American Society for Photobiology.

“A better educational approach for reducing skin cancers would be to instruct fair‐skinned individuals to protect themselves throughout their lives from being exposed to too much UV radiation,” the study authors conclude.

Women wait approximately 37 minutes longer than men before calling an emergency number for chest pain, according to a study in the European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care.

“Women having a heart attack seem to be less likely than men to attribute their symptoms to a condition that requires urgent treatment,” says Matthias Meyer, MD, PhD, a cardiologist at Triemli Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, in a news release.

“Every minute counts when you have a heart attack. Look out for moderate to severe discomfort including pain in the chest, throat, neck, back, stomach or shoulders that lasts for more than 15 minutes. It is often accompanied by nausea, cold sweat, weakness, shortness of breath, or fear.”

If you live with passion and purpose, you will live longer and better, according to the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study.

Find whatever it is that gives your life meaning – it could be fostering pets in need, working to save the environment, or volunteering at the library.

Just find something that brings you joy and fulfillment.

One of the many unfair aspects of ageing is that we don’t glean as many nutrients from our food.

That can lead to nutrient shortages, and missing out on B12 can lead to some serious issues, according to information from the US-based Cleveland Clinic.

Vitamin B12 is crucial for generating DNA and maintaining healthy nerve and blood cells.

Women older than 50 should shoot for 21 grams of fibre daily. Not only will this help keep you regular, but it protects your heart, helps maintain weight and lowers cholesterol, according to the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Calcium helps keep your bones strong and sturdy. Aim for 1,200 mg of calcium after your 50th birthday.

During menopause, declines in the female sex hormone oestrogen can result in bone loss and leave you vulnerable to the brittle bone disease, osteoporosis.

But calcium and a varied diet that includes dark leafy greens (for vitamin K and potassium, which also help build bones) can offer protection.

Your folate and iron needs drop after menopause. If your multivitamin contains mega doses of these nutrients, you may be getting too much.

Check in with your doctor or a dietitian to make sure you are taking the right vitamins for your age.

Women over age 50 with fractures should have a bone density test or DEXA scan, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

For individualised guidance, discuss your risk factors for osteoporosis with your doctor at your yearly well visit.

You need a Pap smear every three years after you turn 50 to screen for cervical cancer. If you have both a Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) test, you can wait until once every five years, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and several cancers, including cervical cancer.

People are living longer than ever – especially if they take care of themselves, says Dr. Moore.

“Turning 50 is not the beginning of the end, it’s your new starting off point. It’s a great time to put you and your health at top of your to-do list.”