Annual Exams

What are annual exams?

Annual exams are a vital part of keeping up on your health as you age. Older bodies are vulnerable to diseases, so keeping an eye on your overall health allows your doctor to catch diseases and complications early and with the best chance at recovery.

For the best chance at longevity, you should get an exam once a year. Your doctor may suggest that you come in more often if you are at a higher risk.

What happens at my annual exam appointment?

At each annual exam, your doctor examines you physically before performing a number of tests. Typical tests performed at an annual exam monitor:

• Cholesterol levels
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Weight

Annual exams for women’s health also include:

• Pap smears to check for cervical cancer
• Pelvic exams to ensure normal functioning and positioning of female organs
• Mammograms to check for breast cancer

During your exam, your doctor will also ask about your lifestyle and habits in order to make sure that you are living a healthy lifestyle and give you suggestions on how to make good choices for your health between exams. Your doctor also makes sure that you’re up to date with your immunizations.

When should I start getting annual exams?

Between ages 30 and 40, exams every other year are enough. Women age 50 and over should receive their exams annually. Since each individual is unique, your doctor may recommend that you get exams more or less often. If you are classified as being overweight, for example, you’ll need more frequent exams since you are at a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.

How should I prepare for my annual exam?

You’ll need to come prepared to each exam and have the answers to the questions that your doctor may ask. You’ll need to know:

• The name of each medication that you take
• The dose of each medication that you take
• The dates of your most recent cancer screenings
• Your vaccine records

Your most important role in preparing for your annual exam is to be truthful and honest when describing your lifestyle, habits, and medical history with your doctor. Remember, they aren’t there to judge you, just to keep you healthy!

If you’re overdue for a physical exam or if you’d like to start scheduling annual exams, call Dr. DeLeon’s Woman’s Health Care for expert treatment and advice.