Are annual physicals important

Depends: There is controversy within evidence based medicine whether or not annual preventive physicals are necessary. The short answer--if you have a genetic or family history, or a personal history of chronic health issues, are a menstruating female or a man over 50, then annual preventive assessments are a good idea. Annual visits are always a good idea, though, just to go over your health questions!

Annual physicals-Yes: It is a yearly review of you! This is an opportunity for you & your MD to make sure that you are healthy & that you stay healthy. Info like family history is reviewed. Blood pressure & weight are also checked. Certain bloodwork can be ordered (depending on your age & any history). Preventative measures are also discussed (pap smears, STD checks, etc). So, yes! Physicals are important!

Playing the odds: In the era before we could do much for illness or conditions, checkups were almost silly. Today, when you can prevent brain damage in an infant by picking up a thyroid problem, or in an adult where you can treat new-onset hypertension before it leads to kidney damage or a stroke, you are playing the odds.You make the choice and get the consequences.