Best Annual Physical Exam in Brooklyn, NY

When you’re constantly busy and always trying to fit even more into your schedule, you may wonder if an annual physical in Brooklyn is really needed every year. You may be one of those many people that live near Brooklyn who are used to a lot of hustle and bustle but find little time for the basics. But to stay as healthy as possible, you need to make time for a thorough checkup every year.

When you book an appointment with your Brooklyn primary care doctor every year, it gives your provider a chance to get to know you, which can help them recognize subtle changes that may mean something’s not right. A yearly visit helps your doctor keep up with any screening tests and vaccinations you need. And it provides you with the knowledge you need to prevent serious medical complications, either by changing your lifestyle or undergoing further testing.

Many types of medical professionals can do an annual physical examination. Health insurance companies often require members to book an appointment with a primary care doctor, who is a doctor or other healthcare professional who oversees all your healthcare.

Primary care practitioners can fall under several categories, including:

• General practitioner
• Family doctor
• Internal medicine practitioner
• Gynecologist

If you have children, you can book an appointment for their annual physical exam with their pediatrician. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are often qualified to do an annual physical exam and to refer you to specialists when needed.

Your annual physical gives you an opportunity to find out about your overall health and to talk to your primary care doctor about questions or concerns you might have.

Some things to do to prepare for your checkup include:

• Thinking about questions you have for your Brooklyn primary care provider and writing them down so you don’t forget to ask them
• Making a list of medications you’re taking including vitamins and supplements
• Bringing any health data you’ve been tracking such as blood pressure readings, food logs or mood trackers
• Finding out if you should have routine blood work done ahead of time

Another thing to think about is if you have any goals related to health and wellness that you’re having difficulty meeting on your own that your doctor may be able to help you with, such as weight loss or quitting smoking.

An annual checkup is covered by most health insurance policies such as:

• BlueCross HMO
• Fidelis
• MetroPlus
• Medicare
• Medicaid

When you book your appointment, check with your insurance provider to find out if you’re responsible for all or part of the cost of routine screenings or lab testing.

The best annual physical exams in Brooklyn are thorough and include a combination of discussions with your doctor, lab tests and a physical exam. Physical exams and screening tests may vary slightly depending on your age and your overall health.

Some things that may be done include:

• Your height and weight are measured.
• Vital signs are recorded.
• Your doctor listens to your heart and lungs.
• A head and neck exam is done to check your eyes, ears and throat and to check your lymph nodes for swelling.
• If you’re a woman in your childbearing years, you may have a Pap smear and pelvic exam.
• If you’re a man, you may have a prostate exam.

If you’re currently on prescription medication, you and your doctor discuss whether they’re helping or whether a change may be needed. Your primary care physician may screen you for anxiety and depression and observe your level of alertness. He checks the condition of your skin and may assess your flexibility and strength or watch you walk.

If you’re usually in good health, you may wonder whether your primary care doctor can learn anything by taking your vital signs and running routine blood work.

But some of the things your healthcare team can learn from this information include:

• Blood pressure problems. When your blood pressure’s checked, your doctor watches for readings out of the normal range. Your doctor may be concerned about readings that are unusually high or low.
• Heart or lung problems. Your physician may be able to detect heart or lung problems by listening for wheezing or unusual sounds in your chest.
• Abnormal blood sugar readings. Routine blood work usually includes a test for blood glucose. If your blood sugar is high, you could have pre-diabetes, and your doctor may recommend that you make some lifestyle changes or offer you weight-loss medication.
• Suspicious marks on your skin. Your doctor looks at your skin for rashes, moles or growths that may need the expertise of a dermatologist.
• Cholesterol problems. Annual bloodwork often includes a test for your cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol, it can increase the risk of stroke or heart disease.
• Body mass index. Your body mass index (BMI) is calculated based on your height and weight. Your doctor considers whether your BMI is too high or too low.

Routine blood work lets your doctor know if you have signs of infection, anemia, dehydration or other disorders. This annual test also gives your doctor information about how well your organs are functioning, such as your kidneys and liver.
Your primary care physician may order additional tests if anything out of the ordinary is found. If specific problems are identified, you may be referred to a specialist such as a urologist or gynecologist. Your doctor can learn a lot about your overall health from your annual physical exam and may detect conditions you don’t realize you have. Book an appointment for a Brooklyn annual physical today.