Why Schedule Annual Check-Ups?
Most people only schedule doctor’s appointments when they are feeling sick. However, did you know that you should be scheduling annual check-ups with your doctor every year? These annual visits with your doctor are extremely important because they provide a time to discuss information not typically covered during a regular doctor’s appointment. During this visit, you and your doctor can discuss your health history, any concerns you may have regarding your health, review current medications and go over immunizations. The overall goal of annual check-ups is to continue building a relationship with your doctor and help them better understand your needs as a patient so you can work together to prevent future health problems.
What to Expect
During your annual check-up, your doctor will most likely take your temperature, listen to your lungs with a stethoscope and check for signs of skin cancer. In addition, they will perform an updated health risk assessment. This includes:
- Your body mass index (BMI), a ratio that checks to see if you’re a healthy weight for your height
- Your blood pressure
- Lifestyle questions such as diet, activity level, alcohol consumption and whether or not you smoke.
