All About Physicals: What to Expect at Your Annual Exam

A yearly physical exam is one of the best investments you can make for your health and wellness. If you have any health conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, your annual physical is critical. But even if you’re healthy, a physical is still necessary to monitor your vital signs and catch potential health issues as early as possible when they are still treatable.

At Vital Clinic and Spa, Dr. Harmanpreet Buttar and our team offer physical examinations, primary care, and a range of cosmetic services at our office in Cypress, Texas.

What to expect at your annual exam

If you have specific concerns, your annual physical is the best opportunity to ask questions and get recommendations for lifestyle modifications and improvements. Physical exams usually consist of a combination of clinical and diagnostic tests, medical history, a review of your prescriptions, and physical exams.

Some of the tests and diagnostics included in a typical physical exam include:

• Vision and hearing test
• Blood pressure and heart rate check
• Blood and urine tests
• Check reflexes and balance
• Measure joint and muscle strength
• Check your lungs
• Head and neck exam

There are also specific physicals, like well-woman and man exams, school and sports physicals, and DOT physicals. 

When should you schedule your physical?

If you have specific health concerns or are experiencing new symptoms like pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, signs of an infection, rash, or a lump, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. 

If you have health issues, you may need to schedule one or more physical exams during the year, depending on your circumstances.

If you’re in good health and don’t have underlying health issues, an annual exam is generally sufficient. 

Benefits of getting an annual exam

An annual physical exam is the best way to monitor your health and prevent and diagnose illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease and cancer are still the leading causes of death for American adults. However, when caught and treated early, heart disease and some forms of cancer are treatable and can be managed successfully. 

Your health also changes as you get older, and an annual exam is the best way to know when it’s time to make lifestyle modifications and changes to your diet to stay active and healthy at every age.

For more information about the benefits of annual physical exams and what to expect, contact us today to schedule an appointment at our office in Cypress, Texas.