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Preventive Care

Understanding Your Annual Physical: What to Expect and Why It Matters

Dr. Aleksandr Orlovskiy, MDNovember 15, 2024

Why Annual Physicals Matter

Many people skip their annual physical when they feel healthy, but preventive care is precisely about catching problems before symptoms appear. Research consistently shows that regular check-ups lead to earlier detection of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers — when treatment is most effective.

What Happens During Your Visit

A comprehensive annual physical at Modern Medical Care typically includes:

  • Vital signs check — blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and BMI
  • Head-to-toe examination — eyes, ears, throat, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, and neurological reflexes
  • Blood work — complete metabolic panel, lipid panel, CBC, thyroid function, and vitamin levels as appropriate
  • Age-appropriate screenings — colonoscopy referrals, mammograms, bone density scans, prostate screening
  • Vaccination review — flu shot, pneumonia, shingles, COVID boosters, and travel vaccines

How to Prepare

To get the most out of your visit, we recommend:

  • Bring a list of all current medications and supplements
  • Note any new symptoms, even minor ones
  • Write down questions you want to ask
  • Know your family medical history
  • Fast for 8-12 hours if blood work is planned (water is fine)

After Your Physical

Your provider will review all results and create a personalized health plan. This might include lifestyle recommendations, medication adjustments, specialist referrals, or follow-up tests. We send results through our patient portal within 3-5 business days.

Prevention is always better than treatment. A 30-minute annual visit can add years to your life.

When to Schedule

If it's been more than 12 months since your last physical, or if you're experiencing new health concerns, don't wait. Call our office or book online today. Same-week appointments are often available.

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