Adult Exam & Annual Physical

Service Description

What is a yearly wellness physical? A physical is a routine visit to the doctor that usually takes place every year. A yearly wellness physical evaluates your overall health and gives your health care provider important information about the condition of your health each year. What is assessed during a yearly wellness physical? During an annual wellness physical, your health care provider will run a series of tests and checks to get a general sense of how your body is doing. Often, your provider will do this using a physical exam checklist that applies to your age, gender and any risk factors you may have. These checks include: Recording your weight, height and body mass index (BMI): Your weight, height and BMI are important measurements that give your doctor an idea of how healthy you are for your age. Measuring your heart rate and blood pressure: Many things can affect your blood pressure, including stress, sleep habits, smoking, diet and exercise habits. Having too high or too low levels of blood pressure are both risk factors for chronic (long-term) health problems. Listening to your lungs and heart: This is done to check for any breathing problems, including wheezing or coughing. Your health care provider may also listen for heart murmurs (unusual sounds between each heartbeat) or extra sounds that can indicate a possible problem with your heart. Performing a physical exam: Your provider will look at all the important areas of your body to make sure there are no signs of health problems. This includes checking the color and size of your eyes, looking for bumps or lumps on your skin, checking your stomach area and checking your reflexes. Gender-specific checks: This may include a breast exam for women or a physical exam of the testicles for men.