By Dr. Sandhya Pattem, Primary Care Physician
Many individuals put off their annual physical because they feel fine and honestly, it makes sense. If you feel fine, why schedule your annual physical? After all, if nothing seems wrong, why bother? it’s easy to let that appointment slide. But from my side of the stethoscope, your annual check-up is so much more than a routine visit. It’s the best shot to track your health, catch subtle changes and work together on a plan to keep you feeling great for your long-term well-being.
A Continuity of Care That Builds Over Time
Honestly, what I love about these visits is the relationship we build, the continuity they provide. As a primary care physician, I get to know more than just your medical history. I learn your personality, your lifestyle and your body’s tendencies—how you handle stress, and what changes are most significant for you.
This relationship allows me to notice small but important shifts that might otherwise be overlooked in one-off or follow up visits. That familiarity is part of what makes primary care effective—it provides context, and context leads to better, more personalized care.
Comprehensive Preventive Care
Let’s talk about one of the most important reasons for a yearly physical. It’s not just about checking vitals or running labs; it’s about stepping back and taking a deeper look at your overall health. This visit gives us time to organize all the preventive checks you need, that might mean reviewing age-related recommendations, adjusting medications if needed and making sure you’re up to date on vaccinations and screenings. We also look at family history and hereditary risks. Unlike a quick sick-visit, this is our chance to cover things like cancer screenings, blood work, bone health ( DEXA scans), cardiovascular risk, and even lifestyle factors like weight, nutrition, and stress etc. It’s about catching issues early and keeping you on track.
Why Preventive Screening Matter
These conditions often develop silently and gradually, without any symptoms at all. You can feel totally fine while your blood sugar is rising or your blood pressure remains elevated over time. Without regular monitoring, these subtle changes can progress unnoticed until they result in more serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure.
During an annual physical, we evaluate key health indicators and order routine labs that help us detect:
- Elevated fasting glucose or HbA1c (for prediabetes or diabetes)
- Abnormal cholesterol levels (linked to heart and vascular risk)
- Persistent high blood pressure
- Early kidney dysfunction through creatinine and urine testing
When we identify these issues early, we can often manage them with lifestyle changes or medication, preventing long-term damage and sometimes even reversing early disease progression.
Tailored to Your Life Stage and Risk Profile
Your annual physical is not a one-size-fits-all checklist. It’s tailored specifically based on your age, gender, family history, and current lifestyle.
Depending on those factors, we may:
- Recommend preventive screenings (e.g., mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies)
- Order lab tests for glucose, cholesterol, thyroid function, or other key markers
- Discuss weight changes, sleep, energy levels, or hormonal fluctuations
- Screen for mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression
- Explore your health goals for the coming year
These discussions ensure your care plan fits your needs, today and in the years ahead.
Prioritize Your Own Well-being
I hear from so many patients that their annual physical is one of the only times all year they can pause and put the focus entirely on themselves. It’s a safe space to talk freely, ask those questions and address concerns that might otherwise get pushed aside.
Whether you’re navigating a new life stage like menopause, managing a chronic illness, or just want to stay proactive, this visit is a true investment in your future self.
Your Next Step
So, if it’s been more than a year since your last check-up, or if you don’t have a primary care physician who really knows you well, now is a good time to begin. Your annual physical is more than just an appointment or a formality— it helps you stay informed, healthy and ahead of potential issues.
To schedule your annual physical, contact our clinic or book online.
You’re welcome to schedule your annual physical at our clinic. We’re here to support your health with care that’s proactive and deeply personalized, so every step of your wellness journey feels guided and trusted.
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Phone: (561) 746-2033
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