A wellness exam, or preventive physical examination, is a great way to keep your health in check. It can help spot issues early and may lead to more effective treatment.
During your annual wellness visit, your doctor will review your health history and medications. They can also offer advice for improving your health.
Ages 13 to 15
The ages 13 to 15 are a good time for your child’s first wellness exam. These visits may involve a talk with your doctor or nurse about her height, weight and blood pressure, plus a physical exam.
During this visit, your teen’s health care provider will check her heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, breath, lungs and head. Testicular and hernia exams are also part of this exam.
Ages 18 to 39
A wellness exam is a visit with your doctor that may include standard tests like blood pressure and cholesterol measurements. It’s also a chance for your doctor to talk about your health history and current lifestyle habits.
These visits are important because they help detect diseases before they become severe. They are often recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force, a group that sets guidelines for screenings.
Ages 40 to 49
A wellness exam is a chance to get more one-on-one time with your doctor and discuss any health questions or concerns you may have. These conversations can help your doctor get to know you and your lifestyle, so they can provide more personalized care in the future.
Screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, mammograms, pap tests, osteoporosis, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) screenings. The frequency of these screenings varies depending on age, gender and risk factors.
Ages 50 to 59
Wellness visits are annual health checks, usually with a doctor. They focus on preventive care and are a great way to keep your body healthy.
A typical visit includes a physical exam, height, weight and blood pressure measurements. Your doctor may also talk about your current diet, exercise and stress level.
During a wellness exam, your doctor will also review your family history and risk factors for certain conditions, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. They may recommend screenings such as a mammogram, pap test or osteoporosis testing.
Ages 60 to 69
During an annual wellness exam, a doctor will use a variety of examination procedures to check your body for physical changes that may point to health problems. Some of the tests that doctors perform include checking blood pressure, listening to your heart and lungs using a stethoscope, and examining your arms and legs.
A wellness exam also gives you an opportunity to build a relationship with your primary care provider. This allows you to be a more active participant in your own healthcare and helps prevent health problems from cropping up down the road.
Ages 70 to 79
Generally, wellness exams occur once a year for people age 70 to 79. They can be helpful for catching emerging health issues, and they may help your doctor create a personalized plan to improve your overall health.
In addition to physical exams, wellness visits usually include a talk about your lifestyle choices and ways you can make healthier decisions. You should also bring a list of any questions you have with you to the visit, so you can fully discuss your health and receive all the answers you need.
Ages 80 to 89
The ages 80 to 89 are among the fastest-growing age groups in the United States. They comprise 4.7 percent of the older population today and are projected to grow to 10 percent by 2050.
During an annual wellness exam, you and your doctor can discuss your lifestyle and any health challenges you may be facing. You can also discuss any new medications or treatments you have been prescribed. Often, these visits can be the first step in developing a long-lasting relationship between you and your doctor.
Ages 90 to 99
A wellness exam is a way for your doctor to get to know you and your health history. The doctor can then provide you with more personalized care when medical issues arise in the future.
A wellness visit may also include screenings for certain conditions, like breast cancer or pap smears. These screenings can save lives by detecting problems early on and helping you avoid serious illnesses.