Get Your Annual Check-Up: Invest in Your Health

Investing the time in your health and being proactive – instead of reactive – is the most precious gift that you can ever give yourself and your family. If you have not had an annual physical, now is the time. Annual check-ups with a primary care physician or specialist are the key to preventing chronic or life-threatening illnesses.  

A wellness visit is usually an annual physical or a gynecological exam, for women.  

The goal of a wellness visit is to prevent potentially harmful health conditions. Early detection for things like cancer can mean the difference between effective treatment and reactive treatment. By getting ahead of the game and planning annual wellness exams, it is much easier to stay on top of your health. Routine blood work scans for things like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.  

Cholesterol levels: For those 20 years or older, cholesterol levels should be checked every five years. Experts recommend men 35 or older, and women 45 or older, should be screened more frequently for lipid disorders.  

Optimal Cholesterol Numbers: 

LDL – Bad Cholesterol: Less than 100 

HDL – Good Cholesterol: 60 and above 

Triglycerides: Less than 150 

Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 

Blood pressure: Blood pressure should be checked by a physician once a year. For those with a family history of hypertension or suspect they may have high blood pressure, at-home monitoring can be used to track your daily blood pressure levels. Click here to learn more. 

Optimal Blood Pressure Numbers: 

Systolic – Top Number: Less than 120 

Diastolic – Bottom Number: Less than 80 

Blood Glucose: Often referred to as blood sugar, anyone 45 years or older should be tested every three years. If you have certain risk factors such as family history, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, your doctor may order more frequent screenings. The most common test that can determine whether you have prediabetes or diabetes is a fasting glucose test.  

Optimal Fasting Glucose Test Numbers: 

FPG: Less than 100 mg/dL 

See your doctor at least once a year and update your blood work. 

Most annual wellness visits and blood work are covered by health insurance as preventive care. It is important to establish and build a relationship with a primary care physician in order to collect your family medical history and create a level of comfort between you and your provider. Establishing a rapport with your PCP during an annual visit can make it easier discussing health issues that may arise in the future.  

Medical advances have come a long way in recent years. Additional screenings can be the key to preventing health issues in the future.  

As advances are made to understand the genetic impact on our health, there are more screenings that can be done to check for underlying conditions that we may not know about until it's too late. It is vital to give your physician a complete health history and family background so that they can help prevent a disease you are genetically pre-disposed to. By diagnosing an illness early, there is more hope that lifestyle changes and medications can avoid complications. The only way to do this is to see your doctor. 

Genetic Cancer Screening: Genetic testing is used to identify or rule out a specific genetic or chromosomal condition. When a particular condition is suspected based on physical signs or family history, genetic testing can be used to confirm a diagnosis. Genetic testing helps identify your breast cancer risks. Our online risk assessment is a screening tool that uses a series of questions to estimate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. After completing the online assessment, your score is calculated, and if you are found to be high risk, you will be scheduled for a genetic screening test.  

Breast Cancer Screening/Mammogram: For women of average risk, ages 40-44 years old, have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year. Those 45-54, should get a mammogram screening every year.  

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Screening: Colon cancer usually develops from precancerous polyps in the colon. A colonoscopy is a screening tool that identifies these polyps before they become cancerous. Colonoscopy can also help detect colon cancer in earlier stages, when treatment is more effective. For those with average risk factors, colonoscopies should begin at age 45. The frequency of colonoscopies will be determined by a physician.   

Cervical Cancer Screening: For women, an annual pap smear can find abnormal cells in the cervix that have the potential to become cancerous. An additional HPV test looks for a virus that can cause precancerous cells to change. For those with average risk factors, you should start getting annual pap smears at age 21.  

Lung Cancer Screening: Lung nodules are common abnormalities found on a chest x-ray and/or CT scan. While lung nodules can develop in anyone, those who have certain risk factors have an increased likelihood of lung nodules being cancerous. If you are between the age of 50-80, have a history of smoking one pack per day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years, or currently smoke or have quit smoking in the last 15 years, speak with your doctor about a lung screening today. Lung screenings are quick, painless, and could save your life.  

Final Thoughts 

Managing your health is a lifelong commitment—but with an ounce of prevention and early detection, you can take steps to prevent a health crisis. Your provider can be your best partner in keeping you healthy and strong. 

🩺 Need a doctor? Find one here. 

Resources: 

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

American Cancer Society