An Ounce of Prevention. . . well, you know the rest

An annual preventive exam identifies potential health issues in the early stages when they may be easier and less costly to treat.

Early detection of medical problems, illnesses, and diseases helps your doctor provide proactive care and treatment. Your primary care provider also can help you coordinate which tests and vaccinations are right for you.

The exam generally includes:

• Checks of vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure
• Heart and lung exams
• Head, neck, and abdominal exams
• Muscle strength, balance, and reflex checks.

Pamela Briggs, service-line manager in Emory’s Diagnostic Treatment Center, has learned the value in making time for an annual preventive exam and following the advice of her providers.

Briggs has had high cholesterol levels for many years. After her annual preventive exam, she began taking medications prescribed by her physician assistant (PA). She also began drinking more water and reducing some of her stressors. Making these changes helped Briggs lower her cholesterol level by more than 100 points.

“Being able to discuss concerns with my provider and knowing that someone is an advocate to help you stay healthy is really a gift,” Briggs says. “I have to give a huge shout-out to my PA, Heather Prusik. She is amazing and really does want the best healthy outcomes for her patients.”

Emory family medicine physician Tina-Ann Thompson says, “The annual preventive exam is a time to review the health concerns that have come up over the last year. It is a time to be sure that immunizations, routine health screenings, and physical and mental health concerns are addressed. It is best to find out if there have been any changes in family history, because certain routine screenings need to be done earlier if there is a family history. It needs to be annual because recommendations change, our bodies change, and early detection of illnesses is best.”