Most people don't think about seeing a doctor until something feels wrong. But one of the most important parts of primary care happens long before symptoms appear.
As a family medicine physician, one of the questions I'm asked most often is, "If I feel fine, do I really need an annual physical?" The answer is yes.
Annual preventive visits aren't just about checking a box—they're about identifying health concerns early, staying up to date on recommended screenings and helping you stay healthy for years to come. Below are some of the questions I hear most often from patients.
Q: If I feel healthy, why should I still schedule an annual physical?
This is probably the most common question I hear and it's an important one.
Even if you feel healthy, an annual physical helps keep your preventive care on track. That includes routine screenings, recommended vaccines and basic lab work that can identify health concerns before they cause symptoms.
Many common conditions—including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol—can develop quietly. Often, patients feel completely normal until those conditions have already progressed.
Your annual visit is also an opportunity for us to take a step back and look at your overall health. We can review your medications, talk about lifestyle habits, update your family history and discuss any concerns that may not seem urgent enough to schedule a separate appointment.
Preventive care is really about staying ahead of problems instead of reacting to them later.
Q: What's the biggest misconception patients have about yearly checkups?
The biggest misconception is simple:
"If I feel healthy, I don't need an exam."
Unfortunately, many health conditions don't announce themselves early on. That's exactly why preventive visits exist. They're designed to identify problems before they become serious, when treatment is often simpler and more effective.
Q: What are some of the most common conditions you catch before patients notice symptoms?
One of the biggest benefits of preventive care is finding conditions early.
Some of the most common conditions we detect during annual physicals include:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
Early kidney disease
These conditions often develop without noticeable symptoms. Catching them early allows us to make lifestyle changes or begin treatment before they lead to more serious complications like heart disease, stroke, or kidney damage.
Q: How does preventive care change as we get older?
As we age, our healthcare needs naturally change.
Routine preventive care becomes even more important because we're screening for additional conditions that become more common with age. Depending on your age, family history and risk factors, that may include screenings for certain cancers, osteoporosis, cognitive changes, heart disease and other age-related conditions.
The goal is always the same—identify problems early so we have the best opportunity to treat them successfully.
Q: How can patients get the most out of their annual appointment?
My biggest piece of advice is simple: come prepared and don't be afraid to ask questions.
A few ways you can make the most of your visit include:
Bring an updated list of medications and supplements.
Write down questions before your appointment.
Tell your provider about any new symptoms—even if they seem minor.
Share updates to your family medical history.
Be honest about your diet, exercise, sleep, alcohol use and tobacco use.
The more engaged you are in your healthcare, the more you'll get out of the visit. I want patients to leave feeling informed, confident and involved in the decisions we're making together.
Q: What is one piece of health advice you wish every patient followed?
Listen to your body.
If you haven't seen your primary care provider in a while and something doesn't feel quite right—or you simply don't feel like yourself—don't ignore it. Schedule an appointment so we can evaluate what's going on and address your concerns appropriately.
Q: How do you balance providing thorough care while avoiding unnecessary tests?
This really comes down to clinical judgment, experience and evidence-based medicine.
I want to be thorough, but I also don't want to order tests or treatments that aren't going to change how we care for you.
I think it's equally important to explain my reasoning. When patients understand why I'm recommending a test—or why I'm not—they tend to feel much more comfortable with the plan. Whenever possible, I rely on established clinical guidelines that help balance the benefits and risks of testing in an objective way.
Q: What does healthy aging mean to you?
To me, healthy aging means staying as active, independent and mentally sharp as possible.
It's not simply about living longer—it's about maintaining your quality of life so you can continue doing the things you enjoy with the people who matter most.
Q: What small lifestyle changes have the biggest long-term impact on health?
People often think they need to completely overhaul their lives to improve their health, but that's usually not the case.
Some of the habits that make the biggest difference over time include:
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
Staying physically active
Limiting or avoiding alcohol
Quitting smoking if you use tobacco
Staying connected with family and friends
I also think social health is something we don't talk about enough. Maintaining strong relationships and meaningful connections can have a significant impact on both physical and emotional well-being.
Q: If every patient remembered one thing about preventive care, what would you hope it would be?
I'd want every patient to remember that preventive care is an investment in your future.
The small, consistent choices you make today—keeping up with annual physicals, staying current on recommended screenings and living a healthy lifestyle—can help you live a longer, healthier and happier life.
You don't have to wait until something is wrong to prioritize your health.
Make Your Health a Priority
Whether it's been one year or several years since your last annual physical, there's no better time to reconnect with your health.
Establishing care with a primary care provider gives you a trusted partner who can help you stay current on preventive screenings, monitor changes in your health over time and address concerns before they become bigger problems.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. William La Rosa or another Bookmark Medical primary care provider today and take the next step toward protecting your long-term health.
Questions about your care? Visit your patient portal.
