6 Reasons to Schedule Your Annual Checkup
Make time for your yearly physical exam
Make time for your yearly physical exam
Your annual checkup with your primary care physician is more than just a routine visit. It is an opportunity to assess your overall health and identify any potential health issues before they develop.
From routine screenings and immunizations to preventing serious conditions, your annual physical is an important step you can take to manage your health.
“The annual visit can be viewed as a form of benchmarking and preventive monitoring,” says Rebecca Shragge, DO, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Hillcrest. “It allows you and your doctor to review all the aspects of your health and develop your personalized health plan.”
Prioritize your health by scheduling an annual physical exam with your primary care physician. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Your annual physical is an opportunity to:
1. Establish baselines
Basic measurements like weight and blood pressure help you and your doctor identify potential health risks and create health goals.
Regular checkups help your doctor see changes in your health over time. By spotting patterns and progress, they can provide more informed and personalized advice.
2. Find issues for early detection
Finding health problems early can save lives. Diseases like heart disease, cervical cancer and high blood pressure often show no early signs. They can go undetected until serious problems develop.
If these problems are found early, they can be treated before they get worse. Acting quickly often leads to better health and less invasive treatment.
During your checkup, your primary care doctor may recommend several tests to identify any health risks. Tests may include:
- Blood pressure checks to monitor heart health
- Pap and HIV tests for early detection of cervical cancer
- Cholesterol tests and other blood tests for overall health monitoring
3. Prevent health issues
Preventive care helps stop diseases or conditions before they can occur, and annual checkups play a key role. During your visit, your doctor reviews positive or negative changes in your health scores.
“Your primary care physician is your partner in keeping you healthy,” says Dr. Shragge. “If you’ve gained unhealthy pounds, we can look at why that might be and make adjustments to diet and exercise or discuss stress management techniques that can help.”
Your doctor will recommend screenings you may need. They may include a mammogram, colonoscopy or bone density test. These tests are important for preventing diseases like cancer and osteoporosis.
Annual checkups also keep you updated on important immunizations. These include flu shots, shingles, tetanus boosters and pneumococcal vaccines. Make sure to ask your doctor if you are current with your vaccinations.
4. Update medical records and history
Annual checkups are an ideal time to update your medical records. Your doctor will review changes in your health, including new symptoms, medications or treatments, to provide better care.
Discuss all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, to make sure you are treating medical issues effectively.
Accurate records also support smooth transitions to specialists or emergency care if needed.
5. Build a relationship with your doctor
Annual checkups allow you to build a strong relationship with your doctor.
“The most important part of the visit is the strengthening of the doctor-patient relationship,” says Yulia Okhotina, MD, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Clinic Mission Valley. “The better your doctor knows you, the better he or she can care for you and the easier it is to detect something that may need further evaluation.”
Make the most out of your annual checkup:
- Prepare for your appointment: focus on health issues or questions you want to discuss.
- Be open and honest: Share all important information, even about sensitive topics. This helps your doctor give you the best care.
- Know your care plan: If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. Make sure you fully grasp the recommendations and next steps for managing your health.
6. Make the most of patient portals, virtual care
Staying in touch with your doctor goes beyond in-person visits. Patient portals allow you to access your medical records, view test results, schedule appointments and ask questions.
These tools help you stay informed and involved in your care. Using them makes sure you are ready for any health discussion, whether in person or online.
Virtual care makes it easier to connect with your primary or specialty care provider from home. It is effective for non-emergency needs, like follow-up appointments or managing illness that can be diagnosed through a detailed discussion or visual check. This option helps you get timely care while saving time and effort.