What to Expect at Your Annual Physical

An annual physical is a yearly checkup where your provider reviews your health, performs a physical exam, orders age-appropriate screening tests, and updates your prevention plan. Even when you feel well, this visit is one of the most effective ways to catch problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes early, when they are easiest to treat.

What happens during the visit

A typical annual physical takes about 30 minutes and includes several parts:

• History review. Your provider goes over your personal and family medical history, current medications, and any new symptoms or concerns.
• Vital signs. Blood pressure, heart rate, and weight are measured and compared to previous years to spot trends.
• Physical exam. Your provider listens to your heart and lungs, checks your abdomen, skin, and lymph nodes, and looks for anything that needs follow-up.
• Screening tests. Based on your age and risk factors, your provider may order bloodwork, an electrocardiogram (EKG), or other screenings.

At Avita MD, blood draws and EKGs are done on-site, so your labs and your exam happen in a single visit.

Common lab tests

The exact panel depends on your age, history, and risk factors. Commonly ordered tests include a complete blood count, a metabolic panel, a lipid (cholesterol) panel, hemoglobin A1c for blood sugar, and thyroid testing. Your provider may add hormone or inflammatory markers when they are relevant to your health picture.

Screenings change with age

Preventive screening recommendations shift as you get older. Blood pressure and cholesterol are checked regularly through adulthood. Screenings for colorectal cancer, certain cancers, bone density, and other conditions begin at specific ages or risk thresholds. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force publishes the evidence-based schedule that guides these decisions, and your provider tailors it to you.

How to prepare

A little preparation makes the visit more useful:

1. Bring a current list of your medications and supplements.
2. Write down any symptoms, questions, or changes you have noticed.
3. Ask whether you need to fast beforehand if bloodwork is planned.
4. Know your family history, especially heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The value of seeing the same practice over time

A single reading is a snapshot. The real value of an annual physical comes from tracking your numbers year over year so your provider can act on trends before they become problems. Reviewing your chart before each visit and comparing results over time is central to how Avita MD practices primary care.

If it has been more than a year since your last checkup, scheduling an annual physical is a simple, high-value step. Same-day and next-day appointments are available at all three Avita MD locations.