How to Prepare for Your Annual Physical: A Simple Checklist

An annual physical is one of the easiest ways to catch problems early, but many people walk out feeling like they forgot to ask the one thing they meant to. A little preparation turns a routine visit into a useful one. Here is a simple checklist you can use before your next check-up.

One week before: gather what you need

• Your medication list. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, with doses. A photo of each bottle works too.
• Your insurance card and photo ID.
• Recent results from other doctors. Lab work, imaging reports or specialist notes from the past year.
• Your family history. Note any heart disease, diabetes, cancer or stroke in parents or siblings, and the age it started if you know it.
• Home readings. If you check your blood pressure or blood sugar at home, bring the numbers.

Ask about fasting before lab work

Some blood tests, like a fasting glucose or certain cholesterol panels, may require you to skip food for several hours beforehand. Call ahead and ask whether you should fast, and whether to take your usual morning medicines. Water is usually fine, but check.

Write down your questions

Doctors’ visits move quickly, and it is easy to forget. Keep a note on your phone during the week before your visit. Useful things to write down:

• New symptoms, even small ones, and when they started
• Changes in sleep, mood, energy, weight or appetite
• Side effects you think might be from a medication
• Screenings you are not sure are due
• Anything you have been putting off asking

Put your most important question at the top of the list and ask it first.

During the visit

• Be honest. Alcohol, smoking, stress and sleep habits all matter, and your doctor has heard it all before.
• Ask what each test is for and when you will get the results.
• Repeat back the plan. A quick summary in your own words helps make sure you both agree on next steps.
• Bring someone if it helps. A family member can take notes and remember details.

Questions worth asking at any age

• Are my blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar where they should be?
• Which screenings are due for someone my age and history?
• Are my vaccines up to date?
• Is there anything about my weight, diet or activity I should change?
• Do any of my medications interact or need adjusting?

After the visit: follow up

Many problems found at a physical are only helpful if someone follows up. Note when results should come back and call if you have not heard. If a test needs repeating or a specialist is recommended, book it before you forget.

This is where having your own doctor makes a difference. At Wave, your doctor goes over every result with you, and if you need a specialist, our team gets you in quickly, the same day when urgent and sends your records ahead.

Your annual physical at Wave Concierge

An annual concierge physical is included in every Wave membership. Visits are unhurried, usually available the same or next day, and labs, EKG and imaging are in our Boynton Beach office. Between visits you can call or text your doctor 24/7. Read more about routine check-ups or compare the plans.

This article is general information, not medical advice for your situation. For a medical emergency, call 911.