Start the New Year Right: Why You Need an Annual Physical

Many people start January with resolutions to eat better, exercise more, or lose weight. But there’s one simple step that supports all of those goals and often gets overlooked: scheduling your annual physical.

At Peaks Medical and Urgent Care in Dillon, Colorado, our primary care team helps you stay on top of your health with comprehensive annual exams. These checkups catch problems early, update your health baseline, and give you a clear picture of where you stand.

Here’s why your annual physical matters and what happens during your appointment.

What your exam covers

Your annual physical typically takes about 30 minutes and includes both routine measurements and personalized assessments based on your age and health history.

Vital signs and measurements

Our team checks your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. We also measure your height and weight to calculate your body mass index. These measurements establish your baseline and help identify changes from year to year.

Physical examination

The exam covers your major organ systems. Your doctor listens to your heart and lungs, examines your abdomen, checks your reflexes, and looks at your skin. We also assess your vision and hearing, examine your throat and ears, and check your lymph nodes.

Lab work and screenings

We offer on-site lab services at our clinic for convenient testing. Blood work typically includes:

• Complete blood count
• Comprehensive metabolic panel checking kidney and liver function
• Lipid panel to assess cholesterol levels
• Blood sugar testing

With cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death in the United States, regular cholesterol screening and blood pressure checks are a must to catch potential problems.

Why baseline tracking matters

Annual exams create a documented record of your health over time. Your doctor can compare current test results against those from previous years to spot trends before they become big problems.

For example, a gradual increase in blood pressure over several years signals a need for lifestyle changes or medication, even if your current reading still falls within normal range. Without regular annual exams, you lose this valuable context.

Updating vaccines and medications

Your annual physical is the perfect opportunity to review and update your immunizations. Common vaccines adults need include:

• Annual flu vaccine
• Tetanus booster every 10 years
• Shingles vaccine for adults over 50
• Pneumonia vaccine for older adults and those with certain health conditions
• COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as recommended

Our team also reviews all of your current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Medication reviews prevent dangerous drug interactions and ensure that you’re using the most effective treatment for your conditions.

Discussing prevention strategies

Beyond tests and measurements, your annual physical gives you dedicated time to discuss health concerns with your doctor. You can ask about exercise programs, nutrition strategies, stress management, sleep problems, or mental health concerns.

Your doctor can recommend specific lifestyle modifications based on your test results and risk factors. If you have prediabetes, for example, nutrition guidance can help you avoid developing diabetes.

Schedule your annual exam

Don’t skip your annual physical just because you feel healthy. Many serious conditions develop silently without obvious symptoms until they reach advanced stages. Regular checkups catch these problems when they’re still manageable.

Start the new year off on the right foot. Contact Peaks Medical and Urgent Care at 970-485-6826 today to schedule your annual physical exam.