Key Highlights
- An annual exam provides preventive care to help you maintain your overall health.
- These yearly checkups allow for the early detection of serious health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.
- Your primary care provider can monitor chronic conditions and adjust your treatment plan.
- An annual physical is an opportunity to update immunizations and discuss a healthy lifestyle.
Why are annual physical exams important for your health?
Annual physical exams are more than a simple check-in. They’re an essential tool for safeguarding your health.
Yearly medical checkups can help you:
- Establish a baseline of your health, allowing for a better understanding of your health and well-being as you age
- Detect health issues early that may not show any symptoms, like hypertension or high cholesterol
- Provide preventive care, like vaccines, to reduce the risk of health problems before they start
- Monitor and manage chronic conditions, helping you make better informed decisions about your care
- Build a relationship with your health care provider, leading to more personalized advice based on your unique health history
What is an annual physical exam?
Children and teens commonly see their pediatrician or family doctor once a year for a physical exam. But what about adults?
A 2025 Wellness Matters Survey found that 90% of adult Americans surveyed put off getting recommended screenings and checkups (1).
Yet, yearly physical exams are essential for preventive health care and maintaining your overall health regardless of your age. Scheduling regular medical checkups allows you and your primary care provider to review your medical history, assess your current health and well-being, and identify potential issues before they become serious.
Annual physical exams are a proactive investment in your health, empowering you to take control of your well-being.
An annual exam is a routine, comprehensive checkup performed by your healthcare provider. These exams can also be called a yearly physical exam, health maintenance visit, or medical checkup.
A primary goal is preventive care — assessing your overall health and catching potential issues early. During the visit, your doctor will perform a physical examination, review your health history, and discuss your current health and well-being.
This appointment is different from a visit for a specific illness. An annual exam provides a broad overview of your well-being and an opportunity to address any health concerns.
Annual physical exams are a very important part of patient care. They help me get to know my patients on a more personal level and partner with them in working towards their health goals. These routine checks have also been critical in catching diseases early that if left unchecked could have been quite severe. I recall many of those situations in which my patient and I both reflect on their health journey and say to each other, “I’m glad we looked into that.”
What should you expect at a yearly physical exam?
When you arrive for your yearly physical, your doctor typically will start by reviewing your medical history.
This includes discussing your family’s health background, current medications, and lifestyle habits. It’s a good time to bring up any new health concerns you’ve noticed.
Next, your primary care provider will conduct a physical examination. This involves checking your vital signs and looking for any signs of potential problems. A typical exam includes:
- Measuring your blood pressure
- Checking your heart rate and rhythm
- Listening to your lungs
- Checking your height and weight
Depending on your age, risk factors, and health history, your doctor may also recommend specific lab tests, vaccinations, or screenings.
How annual physicals differ from other medical checkups
Annual physical exams serve a unique purpose. Unlike urgent care visits for an illness or injury, an annual physical focuses on preventive care and a comprehensive assessment of your overall health status.
If you see a specialist for a chronic condition, those visits will center on managing that specific issue. In contrast, a physical exam provides a complete head-to-toe checkup, even if you feel perfectly healthy. This broad approach is designed to catch problems before they start and promote long-term wellness.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the differences:
Benefits of yearly physical exams for adults
Establishing a baseline of your health
Regular checkups allow your provider to establish a baseline of your health, making it easier to spot changes over time.
These visits allow you to update your provider on any changes in your lifestyle and family history. So your doctor can identify risk factors and provide personalized guidance. This proactive approach helps prevent diseases from developing or progressing, ensuring you stay as healthy as possible for years.
Early detection of hidden health conditions
Many health conditions can go unnoticed for years, but a routine checkup can uncover these hidden problems. Early detection of these chronic conditions can improve treatment outcomes and possibly prevent them from becoming more severe.
Your health care provider uses a combination of a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and blood work to get a complete picture of your health. This comprehensive approach can identify diseases before they cause noticeable symptoms, which is critical for effective treatment.
Common conditions detected in routine exams
Regular health checkups will help you monitor and understand your health numbers, sometimes called “know your numbers.” Here are some common health metrics your provider will monitor, depending on your age, family history, and risk factors.
- Blood pressure to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke
- Blood sugar to assess your risk for diabetes
- Cholesterol to assess your risk for cardiovascular diseases
- Blood or urine tests to check your kidney function
- Body Mass Index (BMI) as a screen for potential weight-related health risks
- Cancer screenings based on your gender, age, and risk factors
Preventive care to help you avoid future health problems
Regular checkups provide the opportunity to take steps to minimize future health problems. For example, your provider will let you know about recommended immunizations or vaccinations. So you can reduce your risk of preventable illnesses, such as tetanus, shingles, or pneumonia.
It’s also an opportunity to talk with your doctor about your health, lifestyle, and how it impacts your well-being. Their guidance can empower you to make informed health and lifestyle choices that support a long and healthy life.
For instance, you can discuss any concerns about:
- Nutrition and creating a balanced diet
- Exercise recommendations tailored to your needs
- Stress management techniques
- Ensuring your joint health to reduce the risk of joint issues in the future
Health monitoring and prevention of chronic diseases
Yearly exams not only help with early detection but can also assist with the prevention of chronic diseases through regular monitoring of your health. Many serious diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, develop slowly without obvious symptoms. Regular checkups help your doctor track important health markers and spot warning signs early.
If your doctor notices any concerning trends, they can recommend lifestyle changes or treatments to lower your risk. Additionally, consistent monitoring helps you better manage chronic conditions you may already have, helping to prevent complications and maintain your quality of life.
Health checkups for adults
Adults may also need other checkups or screenings in addition to a yearly physical exam to maintain their health. The checkups required vary based on age, health, family history, and risk factors.
Talk to your provider during your annual physical exam about which additional checkups and screenings you should have and how often.
Health Screenings Checklist for Adults
Stay healthy with an annual physical exam
Your annual physical exam helps you set aside time to focus on your overall health and preventive care, so you can lead your healthiest life.
Call your Galen medical provider’s office to schedule your exam.
If you’re looking for a new healthcare provider, you can make an appointment with the Galen Medical Group office nearest you or search our website for a provider who fits your needs.
We have a variety of primary care and internal medicine providers ready to work with you. Our locations include:
Galen East Internal Medicine & Pediatrics (Hamilton Place area)
Galen Mountain View Medicine (Ooltewah/Collegedale)
Galen North Georgia Primary Care (Ringgold/Ft. O)
Galen Primary Care Southside (Downtown/Broad St)
Galen North Internal Medicine (Hixson)
Frequently Asked Questions about annual physicals for adults
Absolutely. Many serious health conditions don’t have noticeable symptoms in their early stages. A physical exam allows for the early detection of these hidden problems. These regular visits help you address health concerns before they become more complicated, making them essential even when you feel fine.
Yes, a yearly exam is a normal and highly recommended part of adult health care. It serves as a cornerstone of preventive care and health monitoring. Your healthcare provider uses this annual exam to track your health over time and ensure you remain on a path to wellness.
At Galen Medical Group, we have a variety of providers who offer annual physical exams for adults, including advanced practice providers (APPs) and specialists in internal medicine and family medicine.
Yes, a gynecologist can perform an annual physical exam for women. These visits are sometimes called a well-woman exam and include the health checkups common to a yearly physical exam, along with recommended reproductive health screenings.
Sources
- Aflac Press Release. (April 23, 2025). 9 in 10 Americans have put off health checkups and screenings that could help save their lives. https://newsroom.aflac.com/2025-04-23-9-in-10-Americans-have-put-off-health-checkups-and-screenings-that-could-help-save-their-lives (Accessed October 23, 2025)