Preventive care visits, such as an annual physical, help you understand how your body changes as you age. They give you and your doctor an overall picture of your health and a chance to talk about whether or not changes need to be made.
Regular preventive visits and screenings can keep your doctor up to date on your health and help identify health issues sooner, when they are likely easier to treat.
Even when you are feeling well, the first signs of a critical disease may be present. Your doctor knows when and why to order blood tests, x-rays, and other screening procedures to detect those early signs. For example, your doctor suggests you have a colonoscopy or other screening because of your age, even though you don’t have symptoms.
Plan Ahead for Your Appointment
It’s helpful to write down your health history, especially if anything has changed since the last time you saw a doctor. This would include medicines you take, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs and supplements, and any concerns you have about your health.
Getting Regular Screenings and Tests to Detect Disease Early
Depending on your age, gender, and other factors, your doctor will determine if you need additional screenings, exams, tests, or vaccinations. We’ve provided lists of more common screening tests for adults and children. Discuss with your doctor the right ones for you and your family:
Adults
- Aortic aneurysm one-time screening for men of specified ages who have smoked
- Blood pressure screening
- Bone density test to screen for osteoporosis for women
- Breast cancer screenings, including doctor exam and mammogram
- Cholesterol screening
- Colorectal cancer screening
- Depression screening
- Type 2 diabetes screening
- Eye chart test for vision
- Hearing screening
- Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) check
Children
- Blood pressure check
- Depression screening
- Eye chart test for vision
- Hearing screening
- Height, weight, and BMI check