How Often Do I Need to Get a Physical Exam?

Physical exams play an important role in helping you stay healthy, especially as you age. But how often should you have an exam to reap all its benefits? This post has the answer.

Most of us know regular physical exams are essential for staying healthy and avoiding medical problems. But many of us don’t know how often we need exams to reap those significant benefits.

John Terzian, MD, FACC, and the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC offer comprehensive physical exams for teens and adults, tailoring health assessments for each patient’s unique needs and risk factors. In this post, learn the answer to the question: How often should I schedule a physical exam?

The important role of physical exams

It's only natural to visit the doctor when we don’t feel well or need to manage a chronic medical condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes. But when we’re feeling fine, the need for a doctor visit isn’t always so obvious — and that means it’s awfully tempting to skip regular visits entirely.

But the fact is, those well visits — including physical exams — help you stay healthy for the rest of the year. Having visits regularly gives Dr. Terzian and his team the chance to discover subtle issues that can be treated before they become major problems.

Regular physical exams also ensure you receive appropriate preventive care and lifestyle guidance to help you manage risk factors for disease, along with personalized health advice focused on helping you improve key habits, like diet, exercise, and stress management.

During your exam, Dr. Terzian checks your blood pressure, listens to your heart, records your weight, and recommends lab tests, like blood work and urinalysis, to track cholesterol and blood sugar. It’s also a time to learn about recommended vaccines and health screenings, like mammograms or colonoscopies.

Finally, having regular physical exams enables you to play a more proactive role in your health and gives you a chance to ask questions and discuss concerns so you feel more confident about your health and wellness.

When to schedule your exam

So, how often should you have a physical? The answer is simple and easy to remember: You should have a physical exam every year. In fact, that’s why general checkups are often referred to as annual physicals.

Your health can change at any time and at any age. Having an annual physical ensures you receive important care at every age and every stage of life to help you stay physically and emotionally healthy. Annual exams also provide an ongoing record of your health that can help Dr. Terzian identify subtle changes that might be a sign of an underlying disease.

Finally, Dr. Terzian recommends the frequency of exams based in part on your health history and disease risk factors. If you have a chronic condition, like heart disease or asthma, he might recommend more frequent visits, especially if you’re beginning a new treatment or altering an existing management plan.

Schedule your exam today

An annual physical exam is one of the best ways to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. To schedule your exam, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, today.