Heart
A complete cardiac examination includes auscultation and electrocardiography (EKG). During auscultation, your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your heart. This step is done to check if there are any abnormalities in your heart sounds like murmurs or arrhythmias. Part of your cardiovascular exam may also include special tests such as stress testing and echocardiography.
Lung
To make sure your lungs healthy, your doctor will also listen to your breathing sounds by using a stethoscope to detect any abnormalities in air flow. If you have any breathing problems, further testing such as spirometry will also be performed.
Abdomen
Your abdominal exam mainly consists of palpation and percussion. This means your doctor will be feeling and lightly tapping different regions of your abdomen for any signs of abdominal problems. If you have any particular complaints that involve abdominal pain, urinary symptoms, or indigestion, share them with your doctor during this stage.
Limbs
Your doctor will perform a musculoskeletal exam to assess the mobility and strength of your muscles and joints. If you experience aches, cramps, or stiffness in specific joints or muscles, let your doctor know. Special movement tests will be performed to detect any limited movement or pain which could be early signs of rheumatological diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Reflexes
Your doctor will check your reflexes to identify any neurological problems. Commonly tested reflexes include elbow, knee jerk, and Achilles’ tendon in the foot. If your reflexes are not intact, this can be a sign of spinal cord injury or certain types of neuromuscular disease.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests such as ultrasound are performed at our medical office and are part of your annual health check up. To evaluate the status of your heart, cardio-pulmonary testing and cardiac stress testing will be performed. If further testing is needed, echocardiography is another imaging modality available at our facility.
In addition to these tests, bone density testing, also called a dexa scan, is performed to evaluate the health of your bones and if you’re at risk for osteoporosis.
Lab tests
A core part of your annual health check up is blood work. You will provide a sample of your blood at your office where it will be tested and analyzed. Our comprehensive lab blood test includes:
- Complete blood count (CBC), CMP
- Iron panel
- Vitamin levels
- Hormone panel (FSH, LH, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
- Thyroid panel (T3, T4, TSH)
- Lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL)
- PSA and Free PSA
- Hgb A1C
- STD check
- and more
Results of your lab test will give your doctor a better idea of your current health status and help him or her give you personalized advice about your lifestyle including exercise, diet, and other habits.
Additional procedures
Depending on your age, some additional procedures may be requested to screen for specific conditions that are common in your age group. Among those procedures is endoscopy which is performed at our Beverly Hills office using the most advanced technology: capsule endoscopy. Endoscopic procedures, especially screening colonoscopy, is highly recommended for individuals aged 45 and above. Our healthcare providers can provide you with the medical advice and medical care you need once they perform your health assessment.
What is the Difference Between an Annual Checkup and a Physical Exam?
An annual checkup and a physical exam are routine medical evaluations performed regularly to assess a person’s overall health and identify potential health concerns. However, there are a few key differences between these two types of evaluations:
Frequency
An annual checkup is typically performed once a year, while a physical exam may be performed more frequently, depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances.
Scope
An annual checkup is generally a more comprehensive evaluation that may include a review of the person’s medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests or other diagnostic tests. A physical exam is typically more focused on a specific aspect of the person’s health and may be more limited in scope.
Purpose
An annual checkup aims to assess the person’s overall health and identify potential health concerns. The purpose of a physical exam may be more specific, such as evaluating the person’s fitness for a particular activity or assessing the status of a specific medical condition.
In general, annual checkups and physical exams are essential for maintaining good health and identifying potential health concerns early when they are more likely to be treatable.
It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about how often you should receive these evaluations and what specific tests and screenings may be recommended based on your age, medical history, and other risk factors.
What Can I Expect From the Annual Physical Exam?
An annual physical exam is a routine medical examination performed regularly, typically once a year. It is an opportunity for a person to thoroughly evaluate their overall health and identify any potential health concerns that may need to be addressed.
The specific diagnoses and treatments included in an annual health check-up and yearly physical exam will vary depending on the individual’s age, medical history, and any specific health concerns that they may have. However, common elements of an annual health check-up may include the following:
Reviewing the person’s medical history
The healthcare provider will ask about the person’s medical history, including any conditions or illnesses, medications they are currently taking, and allergies.
Performing a physical examination
The healthcare provider will perform a physical examination, which may include checking the person’s vital signs (such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperature), examining the person’s ears, nose, and throat, and examining the person’s heart and lungs.
For males, the examination may include a prostate cancer check-up and sexually transmitted infections.
In the case of women, it may include a breast exam and mammogram for breast cancer screening and a physical exam for cervical cancer and HPV infection as preventive care. Our office is also able to provide pelvic exams as well as pap smear testing.
Ordering laboratory tests
The healthcare provider may order various laboratory tests to assess the person’s overall health and identify potential health concerns. These may include blood tests for blood sugar, thyroid, anemia, hepatitis, kidney and liver function, high cholesterol levels, and urine tests for infection or other abnormalities.
Providing recommendations for maintaining or improving health
The healthcare provider may provide recommendations for maintaining or improving the person’s health, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, getting vaccines, quitting smoking, or using tobacco products.
The healthcare provider may recommend further health screening, preventive services, evaluation, or treatment if any health concerns are identified during the annual health check-up. This may include referrals to specialists, medications, or other therapies.
What are the Benefits of an Annual Checkup?
There are many benefits to receiving an annual checkup, and routine physical including the following:
Early detection of health problems
An annual checkup can help to identify potential health problems early when they are more likely to be treatable. For example, if a person has high blood pressure or high cholesterol, an annual checkup can help to identify these conditions before they become more serious.
Prevention of health problems
An annual checkup can help to prevent health problems by identifying risk factors and providing recommendations for maintaining or improving health. For example, suppose a person has a family history of heart disease. In that case, an annual checkup can help to identify this risk factor and provide recommendations for reducing the risk of developing heart disease, such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Our healthcare providers and nutritionist can recommend supplements that you should be taking on a daily basis.
Improved quality of life
An annual checkup can help improve a person’s quality of life by identifying and addressing potential health concerns. For example, suppose a person has diabetes. In that case, an annual checkup can help to ensure that their condition is well-controlled, which can help to reduce the risk of complications and improve their overall quality of life.
Peace of mind
A yearly checkup can provide peace of mind by allowing a person to discuss any health concerns they may have with their healthcare provider and receive a thorough evaluation of their overall health.
Vaccines for Annual Health Checkup
- Review immunizations and vaccine history
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Flu Vaccine
- HPV Vaccine
- Shingles Vaccine
Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Prostate Cancer Screening
