Annual wellness physical exams offer an important opportunity for you and your primary care doctor to discuss your health and wellness, and they’re a basic preventive medicine must. How can you get the most out of your yearly physical if you’re scheduling one this summer?
Dr. Ulin Sargeant and Dr. Razmik Thomassian at Monrovia Internal Medicine & Primary Care provide physical exams to new and existing patients in and around Duarte, California. Here, we suggest some of the questions you can bring up during your appointment and explain how getting the information you need can benefit you over the long term.
1. Do I have risk factors for certain health conditions?
Your family history can contain clues about future health risks and issues that you may be predisposed to dealing with down the road. For example, maybe you have a family history of diabetes, breast cancer, or heart disease.
Your annual physical appointment is a great time to check up on your risk factors for hereditary conditions, making sure that you and your primary care provider are on the same page when it comes to your family medical history and how it affects your long-term health care needs.
2. What do I need for my health at my age?
Different milestone birthdays can trigger different care needs, such as screening tests and certain medical procedures. At your annual physical, check in with the MIMPC team about what’s on the schedule for you this calendar year — are you due for a colonoscopy or a skin check? — so you understand how your age may impact your care and treatment needs this year.
3. How are my numbers and health habits?
Your annual physical exam involves checking your metrics like weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. You might need to have a conversation about diet, exercise, stress, or other lifestyle habits that can negatively impact your health over time.
Your provider at MIMPC can help you develop strategies to make small changes that can really add up when it comes to your health and wellness.
4. What about vaccinations?
Staying up-to-date on vaccinations protects you and your community from infectious disease. Another thing worth bringing up at your annual wellness exam is whether you’re due for vaccinations or boosters this year.
At your appointment, we can either provide vaccinations immediately or schedule a follow-up appointment to bring you up-to-date on vaccinations if needed.
5. How can I get my test results?
Annual exams often include various tests, whether routine blood tests to check your levels or tests to follow up on noted symptoms. It’s important for you to know how to get your results!
If you’re having tests done, talk to our team about the best way for us to communicate your private medical information and test results with you. You can also ask how long you can expect to wait before receiving results.
Contact Monrovia Internal Medicine & Primary Care through our virtual office today to schedule your next annual physical evaluation.
