Annual Physicals

What are annual physicals?

Annual physicals are an important part of the preventive health care services available at McLean Cares. These are exams you schedule yearly, even when you’re feeling well and don’t have concerns about your health.

The goal of a physical exam is to ensure your body is functioning efficiently from one year to the next. This visit also allows your provider to identify potential issues that can impact your long-term health.

McLean Cares offers comprehensive annual physicals for adolescents and adults. Those who receive Medicare Part B benefits can also schedule a Medicare annual wellness visit to receive a personalized prevention plan. This plan focuses on reducing your risk for chronic diseases that become more common with age.

What happens during annual physicals?

During your initial annual physical at McLean Cares, you can expect to spend time discussing your personal and family medical histories and answering questions about your current health.

Your provider also performs a complete physical, examining your body for signs of inflammation, pain, or other unusual symptoms. They also note important details about your health, including your:

• Height
• Weight
• Lung function
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Body temperature

Depending on your age and medical history, the team might also request blood work or other diagnostic tests to ensure you’re healthy. McLean Cares offers preventive screenings for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions to identify warning signs of disease in the earliest stages.

What are the benefits of physical exams?

Physical exams are an effective way to monitor changes in your health from year to year. Since many chronic illnesses don’t cause symptoms until the condition progresses, routine exams help identify problems early when treatment is typically most successful.

Your annual physical is also the perfect time to discuss any questions or concerns about your health. Your provider gives their undivided attention to your unique health needs and provides guidance to help you improve your long-term health.

Services like supervised weight loss are available to reduce your risk for chronic diseases that can lower your quality of life.

If it’s been longer than a year since your last physical, book an appointment online or call the McLean Cares office nearest you today.