What Should Actually Happen During an Annual Physical?

An annual physical should be more than a quick blood pressure check, a few basic questions, and a message later saying your labs are “normal.”

For many adults, the yearly physical is one of the only times they sit down with a doctor to review their overall health. That visit should be useful. It should help you understand your current health, identify risks early, update your care plan, and ask questions that may not fit into a sick visit.

The problem is that many annual physicals feel rushed. Patients may leave without fully understanding their lab results, what screenings they are due for, whether their medications still make sense, or what they should focus on before next year.

At IASIS Boutique Health, Dr. Georgios Karanastasis provides a more personal approach to concierge primary care, with longer visits, annual comprehensive labs, direct physician access, and preventive care that is not treated like an afterthought.

Quick Answer: What Should Be Included in an Annual Physical?

A good annual physical should include a complete review of your health, not just a quick exam.

Depending on your age, history, symptoms, and risk factors, an annual physical may include:

• Review of your current health concerns
• Blood pressure and vital signs
• Complete medication and supplement review
• Physical exam
• Annual lab work
• Cholesterol and heart risk review
• Blood sugar and diabetes risk review
• Thyroid discussion when appropriate
• Cancer screening review
• Vaccination review
• Lifestyle, sleep, stress, and nutrition discussion
• Mental health check-in
• Chronic condition follow-up
• A clear plan for what to do next

The goal is not to order every possible test. The goal is to make sure your doctor understands the full picture and that you leave with a plan that actually makes sense.

MedlinePlus explains that regular provider visits can help screen for medical issues, assess future risk, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, update vaccinations, and build a relationship with your provider before illness happens. The CDC also describes preventive care as checkups, screenings, vaccines, and counseling that can help find problems earlier when they may be easier to treat.

1. A Real Conversation About Your Health Concerns

An annual physical should begin with a real conversation.

Before reviewing labs or checking boxes, your doctor should ask what has changed since your last visit. Sometimes the most important information comes from symptoms that patients almost did not mention.

That may include:

• New fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight changes
• Stress changes
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Digestive changes
• Urinary changes
• Skin changes
• Mood changes
• Pain that keeps coming back
• Medication side effects
• New family history

Many patients minimize symptoms because they assume they are “just getting older” or “probably stressed.” Sometimes that is true. Other times, small changes can point to something that should be checked.

A good annual physical gives you time to talk about those changes before they become bigger concerns.

2. Blood Pressure and Vital Signs

Blood pressure is one of the most important parts of an annual physical because high blood pressure can be silent.

You may feel completely fine and still have blood pressure that is higher than it should be. Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems.

During your annual physical, your doctor should review:

• Your blood pressure reading in the office
• Whether your blood pressure has changed over time
• Any home blood pressure readings
• Risk factors such as stress, sleep, caffeine, salt intake, weight, and activity level
• Whether you need lifestyle changes, monitoring, or medication adjustment

The USPSTF recommends screening adults for high blood pressure with office blood pressure measurement and confirming elevated readings outside the clinical setting before treatment when appropriate.

If your blood pressure has been rising, it should not be brushed off with a vague “watch your diet.” You should understand what the number means and what the next step should be.

3. A Complete Medication and Supplement Review

Many annual physicals skip over this too quickly.

Your doctor should review everything you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and medications prescribed by specialists.

This matters because medications can affect:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Energy levels
• Sleep
• Mood
• Weight
• Dizziness
• Heart rhythm
• Stomach symptoms
• Bleeding risk

A medication review should answer:

• Why are you taking each medication?
• Is the dose still appropriate?
• Are there side effects?
• Are there possible interactions?
• Are any refills needed?
• Does any medication require lab monitoring?
• Is anything no longer necessary?
• Did another provider add something new?

This is especially important for patients with chronic conditions. Patients managing high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid disease, or multiple medications often benefit from the extra follow-up that comes with concierge medicine for chronic conditions.

4. Annual Lab Work and What the Results Actually Mean

Annual labs are important, but the lab review is just as important as the lab order.

Patients often receive lab results through a portal with little explanation. They may see “normal,” “borderline,” or “high” without understanding what that means for their actual health.

A strong annual physical should review labs in context.

Common labs may include:

• Complete blood count
• Metabolic panel
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Cholesterol panel
• Blood sugar
• A1C when appropriate
• Thyroid testing when appropriate
• Vitamin levels when appropriate
• Urine testing when appropriate
• Other tests based on symptoms or risk factors

The key is not simply whether a number is inside the lab range. The key is whether anything is changing over time.

For example:

• Is your cholesterol slowly rising?
• Is your blood sugar moving toward prediabetes?
• Is kidney function stable?
• Are liver enzymes abnormal?
• Is thyroid function contributing to fatigue or weight changes?
• Are your results technically normal but trending in the wrong direction?

A good doctor should help you understand what your numbers mean, what can wait, what needs follow-up, and what should be monitored more closely.

5. Cholesterol and Heart Risk Review

Cholesterol should not be discussed as a single number.

Your annual physical should include a broader heart risk conversation. That means looking at cholesterol along with blood pressure, blood sugar, family history, smoking history, exercise, weight, age, and other risk factors.

A heart risk conversation may include:

• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Total cholesterol
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Family history of heart disease
• Exercise habits
• Nutrition habits
• Weight and waist changes
• Smoking history
• Stress level
• Sleep quality

Some patients are told their cholesterol is “a little high” without getting a clear explanation. Others are prescribed medication without fully understanding why. A better visit should help you understand your risk and your options.

This is one reason patients often compare concierge doctor vs. primary care. More time with the physician can make it easier to talk through prevention, not just react to abnormal results.

6. Blood Sugar and Diabetes Risk Review

Blood sugar problems can develop slowly, often before a patient feels symptoms.

That is why annual physicals should include a conversation about diabetes risk, especially if you have risk factors such as:

• Family history of diabetes
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Prediabetes
• History of gestational diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor sleep
• High stress
• Increased abdominal weight

The CDC notes that a blood sugar test is needed to find out whether someone has prediabetes or diabetes. Testing is usually simple, and results are often available quickly.

If your blood sugar or A1C is rising, your doctor should explain what that means and what steps may help. “Eat better and exercise” is not enough guidance for many patients.

A better conversation includes what to change, what to monitor, and when to recheck.

7. Cancer Screening Review

An annual physical is a good time to review what cancer screenings you may be due for.

This does not mean every patient needs every screening every year. Screenings depend on age, sex, symptoms, family history, previous results, and risk factors.

Your doctor may discuss:

• Colon cancer screening
• Breast cancer screening
• Cervical cancer screening
• Prostate health discussion
• Skin checks when appropriate
• Lung cancer screening for certain higher-risk patients
• Family-history-related screenings

This part of the visit matters because patients may not always know what they are due for. Screening guidelines can also change, and your personal risk may change as you age.

A rushed physical may simply ask, “Are you up to date?” A better physical helps you understand what that means.

8. Vaccination and Preventive Care Review

Preventive care also includes reviewing vaccines and other routine health maintenance.

Depending on your age, health conditions, work, travel, and risk factors, your doctor may discuss:

• Flu vaccine
• COVID-related updates
• Tetanus booster
• Shingles vaccine
• Pneumonia vaccine
• Hepatitis screening or vaccination when appropriate
• Other vaccines based on risk or travel

This should be personalized. The goal is not to pressure every patient into the same checklist. The goal is to make sure you understand what is recommended for your situation.

9. Lifestyle, Sleep, Stress, and Mental Health

An annual physical should not ignore the parts of life that strongly affect health.

Your doctor should ask about:

• Sleep quality
• Stress level
• Exercise
• Nutrition
• Alcohol use
• Tobacco or nicotine use
• Work schedule
• Caregiver stress
• Mood changes
• Anxiety or depression symptoms
• Energy level
• Weight changes

These topics are sometimes rushed because they do not fit neatly into a lab result. But they matter.

Poor sleep can affect blood pressure, weight, mood, blood sugar, and energy. Chronic stress can affect heart health, digestion, headaches, sleep, and overall well-being. Nutrition and exercise can influence cholesterol, diabetes risk, blood pressure, and inflammation.

If your annual physical does not include these conversations, it may be missing important context.

What Should You Bring to an Annual Physical?

To get more out of your visit, bring information that helps your doctor understand what has changed.

Helpful things to bring include:

• Current medication list
• Vitamins and supplements
• Home blood pressure readings
• Blood sugar readings if you monitor them
• Recent urgent care or emergency room records
• Specialist updates
• New family history
• Vaccine records if available
• Questions about symptoms
• Questions about lab results
• Health goals for the year

You should also write down questions before the visit. It is easy to forget them once the appointment starts.

Questions to Ask During Your Annual Physical

A good annual physical should leave you with clarity.

Helpful questions include:

• Are my labs truly normal, or are any numbers trending in the wrong direction?
• Is my blood pressure where it should be?
• Do I need to check anything at home?
• Am I due for any screenings?
• Do any of my medications need adjustment?
• Are my cholesterol numbers concerning?
• Is my blood sugar normal?
• What is my biggest health risk right now?
• What should I focus on before next year?
• When should I follow up?

These questions can turn a basic checkup into a more useful health planning visit.

Why Annual Physicals Often Feel Rushed

Many patients leave annual physicals feeling like they technically had a checkup, but did not really get answers.

That can happen because traditional primary care visits are often short. The doctor may have limited time to cover symptoms, labs, medications, screenings, family history, chronic conditions, lifestyle, and patient questions.

As a result, patients may experience:

• Short appointments
• Limited time for questions
• Confusing lab messages
• Delayed follow-up
• Portal-only communication
• Different providers at different visits
• Little explanation of risk factors
• No clear next step

This is why some patients decide concierge medicine is worth it. They are not only paying for faster appointments. They are looking for better access, longer visits, and a physician who has time to explain what is happening.

What Is Included in an IASIS Boutique Health Membership?

At IASIS Boutique Health, concierge medicine is designed to make annual physicals and preventive care more complete, more personal, and easier to follow through on.

Membership includes:

• Unlimited office visits for included primary care services
• Annual comprehensive labs to help monitor overall health
• Unlimited telehealth visits when virtual care is appropriate
• EKG testing for heart and cardiovascular screening when needed
• Point-of-care testing for certain in-office concerns
• Direct access to Dr. Karanastasis
• No copays for included services
• Same-day and next-day appointment availability for members

The individual membership is $209 per month or $2,500 annually. The family plan is $4,000 per year for two adults.

This model is especially helpful for patients who want their annual physical to be more than a quick checklist. With more time and better access, the visit can become a real health planning conversation.

Annual Physicals and Telehealth Follow-Up

Not every follow-up after an annual physical needs to happen in person.

Telehealth can be useful for:

• Reviewing lab results
• Discussing medication changes
• Following up on blood pressure readings
• Reviewing blood sugar concerns
• Talking through lifestyle changes
• Answering questions after the visit
• Reviewing specialist recommendations
• Updating a care plan

At IASIS Boutique Health, telehealth is included when appropriate. This can make follow-up easier for patients in Orland Park, Chicago, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Naperville, and surrounding suburbs.

A physical exam still needs to happen in person when appropriate, but telehealth can help keep the conversation going between office visits.

Who Benefits Most from a More Complete Annual Physical?

A more complete annual physical can benefit almost anyone, but it is especially valuable for patients who:

• Have not had a physical in years
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Have prediabetes or diabetes
• Take multiple medications
• Have a family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer
• Feel tired, stressed, or not like themselves
• Want better explanation of lab results
• Are unsure what screenings they need
• Want a more proactive relationship with their doctor
• Feel rushed in traditional primary care

A better annual physical is not only about finding disease. It is about understanding your health before problems become harder to manage.

Final Thoughts: Your Annual Physical Should Give You Answers

An annual physical should not feel like a formality.

It should help you understand your health, review your risks, update your screenings, check your medications, discuss your labs, and create a plan for the year ahead.

If you leave your physical confused, rushed, or unsure what happens next, the visit did not do enough.

At IASIS Boutique Health, Dr. Georgios Karanastasis provides concierge medicine for patients who want longer visits, direct physician access, preventive care, chronic condition management, annual comprehensive labs, and a more personal doctor-patient relationship.