Top five reasons to schedule your annual physical

If you had to pick one simple step that will have a big positive impact on many areas of your life, scheduling an annual physical exam with your primary care provider would be a great choice. Here are five reasons why you should make scheduling your annual physical a priority this year.

1. An annual physical allows you to build a relationship with your primary care provider

Your primary care provider is your first point of contact anytime you have a health-related question or concern. Developing a trusted relationship with your provider enables you and your provider to make decisions about your health together. An annual exam gives you and your provider time to talk about your current health, ask questions and develop a plan to maximize your health for a lifetime.

Don’t have a primary care provider? No problem. Inova Primary Care has hundreds of great providers ready to meet you. Find a doctor and schedule an appointment.

2. It offers a one-stop opportunity to stay up to date with preventive care

When you have a regular annual physical, you don’t need to worry about staying up to date with vaccines or other preventive care items. From shingles, tetanus and pneumonia vaccinations to routine lab tests, you can get it all done at once.

Your annual physical is also a good time to review your current medications with your provider, discuss how they’re working, and plan for prescription renewals or refills.

3. You and your provider can track your current health and catch changes early

One part of your annual physical is recording basic health information including your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen level and breathing rate. Lab tests can check your cholesterol, blood sugar and metabolic function.

Knowing this information is key, because changes over time can signal an emerging medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes. Catching problems early, when they’re easier to treat and possibly reverse, can add healthy years to your lifespan.

4. It helps you stay on track with lifesaving health screenings

When it comes to cancer and other serious conditions, the earlier you find out about it, the better. Your primary care provider can refer you for recommended health screenings, from mammograms to colonoscopies, and is available to discuss the results with you and determine next steps, if needed.

Your provider is also your source for referrals to medical specialists, from cardiologists to neurologists and everyone in between. As the “quarterback” of your medical team, your primary care provider helps coordinate your care.

4. An annual physical is an opportunity to evaluate your health and set goals

Before your annual physical, it’s smart to spend a few minutes thinking about your current health and your future health goals:

• What areas are going well?
• In what areas would you like to make changes?
• What do you want to be healthy enough to do in the years to come?
• What barriers or challenges have you faced in the past that have made achieving health goals difficult?
• What questions do you have about your health?

Although it’s easy to put off when you get busy, an annual physical is your time to focus on one of the cornerstones of your life: your health. Take a minute to schedule your annual physical today. Learn more about the importance of preventive care.