Why Annual Physical Exams Are Important for Your Long-Term Health

Staying healthy can be a challenge, and this challenge only becomes more pronounced as you age. Annual exams can play a vital role in maintaining your health throughout your lifetime. Here are a few reasons these exams are essential.

Quality of life can be difficult to define because it reflects a person’s overall well‑being across many areas. It’s shaped by factors such as how satisfying and sustainable your work is, the strength of your relationships, and the environment in which you live.

Medically speaking, quality of life plays a significant role in both physical and mental health, and annual exams are an important tool for maintaining it. Chicago, Illinois, residents interested in maintaining good health can rely on our medical team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care for annual check-ups and other treatment options to care for their individual needs.

Let’s explore the benefits of annual physicals, what tests are generally included, and why getting a check-up every year helps you stay healthy.

What to expect from a physical exam

An annual check‑up offers insight into your health through screenings and tests that evaluate your well‑being, detect undiagnosed conditions, and identify future risks.

To gather this information, you can expect to undergo many screenings, including:

Medical history

To better understand your current health, we need to gather as much information as possible about your medical history, including allergies, family medical history, previous or current injuries, and other pertinent issues.

Vital signs

A quick check of your weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, and heart rate will help us set a baseline for the other tests we perform.

Visual exam

During a visual exam, your provider looks for unusual changes in your appearance, movement, or skin that could signal a health concern.

Physical exam

During a physical exam, your provider gently presses or taps on parts of the body to identify anything unusual and to assess reflexes and overall function.

Lab testing

Blood and urine tests can reveal potential issues with your kidneys, liver, immune system, and overall blood chemistry.

Conditions that a physical exam can detect

This comprehensive examination allows us a window into your health to help detect, prevent, and offer early treatment for many problems, such as:

Diabetes: high levels of blood glucose can cause a range of medical problems
Hyperlipidemia: high amounts of bad cholesterol (LDL) can lead to cardiovascular problems
Hypertension: high blood pressure potentially leads to several heart-related issues
Kidney disease: complications with your kidneys can be fatal if left untreated
Cardiovascular disease: conditions affecting your heart and blood vessels can shorten your life

Benefits of getting an annual physical

Your health needs naturally change over time, whether due to aging, past injuries, or conditions that haven’t yet been identified. Annual exams help us track your health over time and address issues early, before they become more serious.

Even if everything seems OK, it’s good to know that your health is intact from year to year. Skipping your annual physical can allow potential health issues to go unnoticed, which may become more serious over time.

Is it time for your annual physical? Schedule an appointment with our team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care today. Call our office or book your visit online.