How often you need a physical exam
Key points
- Even when healthy, adults should visit a clinician periodically.
- Even if you feel fine, it still important to see your health care provider regularly to check for potential problems.
- Health maintenance visits differ from visits needed by people who have medical problems that need to be monitored and treated.
- Most people who have high blood pressure don't even know it.
Alternative names
Physical exam frequency; Health maintenance visit
Definition
Even when healthy, adults should visit a clinician periodically. The purpose of these visits is to:
- Screen for diseases
- Assess risk of future medical problems
- Encourage healthy lifestyles
- Update vaccinations
- Maintain a relationship with a doctor in the event of an illness
Health maintenance visits differ from visits needed by people who have medical problems that need to be monitored and treated.
Information
Even if you feel fine, it still important to see your health care provider regularly to check for potential problems. Most people who have high blood pressure don't even know it. The only way to find out if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Likewise, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels often do not produce any symptoms until advanced disease has occurred.
There are specific times when you should see your health care provider. Some guidelines include:
AGE 18 TO 39:
- Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
- If you have vision problems, have an eye exam every 2 years.
- Have your blood pressure checked every year. Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your health care provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. Check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies. If the systolic number (top number) is greater than 130 or the diastolic number (bottom number) is greater than 85, call your doctor.
- You should have 2 physical exams in your twenties. During the first exam, ask to have your cholesterol checked. Your height and weight should be checked at every exam. Other blood tests are not indicated in healthy young people.
- MEN should perform a monthly testicular exam. WOMEN should perform a monthly breast self-exam. If you are not sure what you should be looking for, contact your health care provider for instruction.
- WOMEN should have a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear done to check for cervical cancer and other disorders. If your Pap smears are negative for three years in a row, your doctor may decrease the frequency of Pap smears to every 1 to 3 years.
- You should have a tetanus-diptheria booster every ten years.
AGE 40 TO 65:
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.