Annual visits with a primary care provider are a great opportunity to check in on your overall health. The purpose of an annual physical is to identify potential health concerns early so you can make small, proactive changes to help avoid more serious conditions in the future. Even if you feel healthy and maintain an active lifestyle, there are a few key health metrics (measurements) that should be checked each year. This is because many chronic conditions, such as heart disease or hypertension, can develop gradually without exhibiting obvious symptoms in your daily life. These include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI) and preventive screenings based on family history.

Blood pressure is one of the most important metrics to monitor. It is often referred to as the “silent killer” because high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, rarely causes noticeable symptoms and can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems over time. By monitoring this annually, your provider can identify subtle changes and recommend lifestyle changes such as changing your diet, increasing physical activity, lowering stress levels and getting enough sleep each night. In some cases, providers will prescribe daily medication to prevent or manage the disease.

Having your cholesterol levels checked will provide another critical metric for understanding your cardiovascular health. A simple blood test can measure both “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, as well as triglycerides (a common fat found in the body). Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries which can narrow blood flow to the heart and increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Regular monitoring gives your provider a baseline to track changes over time and help guide proactive recommendations such as lifestyle changes, medications or other interventions to protect your heart health and prevent more serious complications.

Blood sugar testing is also typically included in your annual blood work. If abnormal, a test known as an A1c will be ordered to evaluate for prediabetes and diabetes. The A1c shows average blood sugar levels over the past two-three months. Many people with elevated blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, do not realize it because early stages of prediabetes and diabetes may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, some individuals do experience increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue or blurred vision. Identifying changes early allows your provider to make adjustments to your daily routine that can prevent or delay the development of diabetes.

When your provider takes your height and weight it is used to calculate your BMI. This is a weight-to-height ratio used to estimate the amount of body fat present. While BMI isn’t a perfect measure of health, tracking weight trends over time can help identify changes that may increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. If your BMI falls outside the normal range, your provider will look beyond the scale and consider other factors that influence long-term health, such as physical activity, nutrition and stress, to develop a game plan.

Lastly, your provider may recommend preventative screenings based on your age, medical history and other risk factors. These screenings are designed to not only catch illness early, but in many cases, to prevent it entirely. For example, a typical adult can begin colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45, while others might review their family history with their provider and determine that earlier or more frequent screenings are necessary.

By prioritizing preventive care and maintaining regular checkups, you gain the best opportunity to maintain long-term health, address potential concerns early, and take proactive steps toward disease prevention.

Dr. Marie E. Brock is a family medicine and primary care physician. She currently sees patients in and around Bedford County at Vanderbilt Integrated Primary Care Shelbyville.