An annual physical exam is like a yearly checkup for your body and mind. During the exam, your primary care physician or another healthcare professional may perform physical evaluations and blood tests to get a thorough picture of your overall health.

Even if you feel perfectly fine, that’s no reason to put off getting this exam. Catching conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes in their earliest stages could help prevent serious complications. With a yearly checkup , you can get personalized treatment plans for any health concerns.

It’s best to think of an annual physical exam like a must-have “health tune-up.” Your doctor can do much more than check your heart rate and blood pressure. They can perform a full health assessment that covers everything from vital signs to screening tests.

When you stay consistent with an annual checkup, you give yourself the proactive care you need for a healthier future.

What happens during an annual physical exam?

Even though different providers vary in their approach, annual physical exams tend to include the same basic tests and evaluations . Your doctor will explain each step and its purpose so you know exactly what to expect.

Vital signs

The care team will take your vitals, including weight, height, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. They may also measure blood oxygen levels to see how well your body is delivering oxygen.

These readings provide valuable information to help the doctor assess your overall cardiovascular and respiratory health.

Medical history review

You’ll talk with the doctor about your medical history, including past diagnoses, current medications, and changes in your lifestyle. Your doctor also may ask about your family history, which may have a bearing on your risk factors for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Physical assessment

Your provider will listen to your heart and lungs, check your abdomen, examine your skin, and assess your reflexes. They may also measure your body mass index (BMI) to evaluate your weight-to-height ratio.

The physical assessment usually includes these key evaluations:

• General appearance. Observes memory, mental sharpness, skin health, posture, and ability to stand or walk.
• Heart exam. Uses a stethoscope to detect irregular rhythms, murmurs, or other signs of heart disease.
• Lung exam. Listens for crackles, wheezes, or other sounds that may indicate heart or lung issues.
• Head and neck exam. Checks throat, tonsils, teeth, gums, ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes, thyroid, and carotid arteries.
• Abdominal exam. Evaluates liver size, abdominal fluid, bowel sounds, and tenderness through tapping, listening, and palpation.
• Neurological exam. Assesses nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, and mental status.
• Dermatological exam. Examines skin and nails for issues as well as signs of diseases affecting other parts of the body.
• Extremities exam. Looks for physical or sensory changes, checks limb pulses, and examines joints for abnormalities.

Screenings to catch health issues early

Many doctors recommend annual physical exams as part of a preventive care plan to catch health issues in their earliest stages. For that reason, an exam will likely include:

• Blood pressure measurement, to detect hypertension early.
• Tests for cholesterol levels, to assess heart health.
• Laboratory tests for blood sugar, to screen for diabetes.
• Cancer screenings, such as mammograms, Pap tests, or prostate exams, depending on your age and gender.

Annual wellness checks present the perfect opportunity to get vaccination  updates. Students may need tetanus, meningococcal, or HPV shots. For adults who plan on traveling, a healthcare provider may recommend vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid, or yellow fever.

Not all patients need all health screenings . But there are certain gender- and age-appropriate screenings that aim to detect diseases before symptoms appear. For example, women older than 65 may receive bone density testing to check for osteoporosis. Men older than 50 often go through prostate exams to detect early signs of prostate cancer.

Why get an exam if you feel fine?

As we age, our needs change. In addition, advances in life sciences and health monitoring change the best practices for healthcare.

Annual exams  are a key part of preventive care. They help you spot issues before they become problems. Even if you have no apparent health problems, an annual exam could help in several ways, including:

• Early detection of silent or developing health issues. Find problems before symptoms appear, which improves chances for effective treatment.
• Monitoring trends or subtle changes year over year. Track shifts in your health to address issues early.
• Personalized guidance on diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits. During an exam, a doctor might provide nutrition counseling, exercise recommendations, and a personalized plan for maintaining good health.
• Building a relationship with your healthcare provider. Strengthen trust for better communication, patient education, and ongoing health support.

How annual exams support long-term health

Most states require annual car inspections. Our bodies need regular health maintenance at least as much as our vehicles. Yearly exams support long-term health  in several ways, including:

• Promoting early detection and scheduling of screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies.
• Establishing a baseline to track health changes over time.
• Supports mental and emotional well-being.
• Encourages healthier choices with trusted medical advice.
• Provides vaccination updates for disease prevention.

Is it time for a checkup?

Annual physical examinations are your yearly pit stop on the way to peak health performance. They provide the perfect opportunity to report new symptoms, discuss health goals, receive tailored nutrition advice, and learn about lifestyle changes you can make to improve your long-term wellness.

They also help you stay on track with screenings and vaccinations. Just because you feel healthy doesn’t mean you don’t need a wellness check.

Your health is worth a yearly doctor visit. Schedule your annual physical today with the Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health internal medicine department to stay proactive about your physical and mental health.

About Dr. Patel

Dr. Ajay R. Patel, MD, offers preventive care, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment plans for both acute and chronic illnesses. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City. And he is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Patel, a native of India, is dedicated to communicating with his patients to better understand their health and medical conditions. He strives to help them experience good outcomes and a higher quality of life.

When he’s not spending time with his wife and two daughters, he enjoys volunteering at his local temple and both playing and watching sports.

Book an appointment with Dr. Patel by calling (813) 528-4898.