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As an old phrase says, prevention is better than cure. Likewise, our health is our own responsibility and hence we should keep ourselves updated of what's going inside our body. With today's lifestyle that includes more work and less physical activities, routine health check-ups are even more important. Similarly, an increasing rate of non-communicable diseases and ailments like diabetes, obesity and cholesterol, requires an individual to be more cautious about his/her health. Sedentary lifestyle and junk eating are again, major enhancers of week physical health.

With so many underlying reasons, falling prey to bad and weak health becomes easier, the question arises, how often should one indulge in a health check-up, quarterly or twice a year? Technically, the answer lies in our current health status itself. The recommendations for a routine health check-up lie majorly on age, medical history, health risk factors and the current status of your heath, says Tarun Sahni, Internal Medicine Specialist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.

"If you are already suffering from a chronic disease like diabetes, it's always recommended to see your doctor more frequently. Basis the same, your doctor may suggest less or more time between your regular health checkups," says the doctor.

Also, frequency of regular health checkups should be more often, once you start aging. It should be once every year, at the age of 60. For the people between the age of 30 to 40 years, regular health tests can be taken once in a couple of years, barring they don't have any chronic ailments, he tells IANSlife.

"Else, on being diagnosed with any chronic disease like hypertension, cholesterol or diabetes, it is recommended to increase the frequency of health checks for the particular ailments, between the age of 30 and 40 years."

Benefits of regular health checks