Updated June 2026 · Aevia
Forty isn't old — but it's the age where the body's silent processes start to count. Atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and declining muscle mass develop for decades without symptoms. A thorough check around 40 gives you a baseline — and time to act.
- The risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes accelerates from age 40 — typically without symptoms.
- Muscle mass and fitness (VO2max) measurably decline from 40 unless you train deliberately.
- Get ApoB and Lp(a) measured at least once — Lp(a) is hereditary and only needs measuring once in a lifetime.
- An annual check makes the development visible while it can still be reversed.
Why 40 is a turning point
Most lifestyle diseases have a 10-20 year silent prehistory. That means what becomes a heart attack at 60 can often be seen in the numbers at 40 — long before anything can be felt. At the same time the body's reserves start shrinking: muscle mass, fitness and hormone production gradually decline. The good news: all of it can be measured, and most of it can be moved.
The most important measurements after 40
Cardiovascular: ApoB (the number of harmful cholesterol particles), Lp(a) (hereditary risk — measured once) and blood pressure. Metabolism and blood sugar: HbA1c and fasting insulin — insulin resistance can be detected years before blood sugar rises. Inflammation: hs-CRP, the body's silent smoke alarm. Hormones: testosterone in men, oestradiol/FSH in women — the years before menopause often start in the 40s. Fitness: VO2max, one of the strongest single markers for longevity.
Women and men: different curves
Women's risk profile changes markedly around menopause, when oestrogen's protection of heart and bones fades — perimenopause typically starts in the 40s and is often overlooked. Men's testosterone declines gradually, and cardiovascular risk hits earlier. Read more in health check for women and health check for men.
How often should I measure?
One thorough check as a baseline — then annually, so the development becomes visible. It's the trend over time that makes the numbers valuable: not whether your cholesterol is "normal" this year, but whether it's moving in the right direction. With Aevia, the membership covers exactly that annual follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is 40 too early if I feel healthy?
No — quite the opposite. The point of measuring while healthy is to get a baseline and catch developments while they can still easily be reversed with lifestyle.
What if something is found?
Then you know — and can act. Your report is reviewed 1:1, and for findings that require further investigation we guide you to your own doctor with concrete numbers in hand.
Isn't a free check at my GP enough?
It's a fine place to start, but typically measures only a handful of basic numbers. Markers like ApoB, Lp(a) and fasting insulin are almost never included. See the comparison.
This page is general information and does not replace individual medical advice.