Annual check-ups help with early detection of health issues, allow time to adjust medications, ensure vaccinations are up to date, and promote preventive care. Just like a regular dental check-up, annual physical exams focus on catching problems early, before they get worse.
What Is Included in an Annual Physical Exam at Boulder Medical Center
During your annual physical exam at Boulder Medical Center, your provider may perform the following assessments:
- Vital signs check – Blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature
- General appearance – Observing your overall health and presentation
- Heart exam – Using a stethoscope to detect irregularities or murmurs
- Lung exam – Checking for wheezing, crackles, or signs of respiratory issues
- Head and neck exam – Includes throat, ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, and lymph nodes
- Abdominal exam – Feeling for tenderness, organ size, or abnormalities
- Neurological exam – Assessing reflexes, balance, coordination, and strength
- Skin exam – Identifying suspicious moles, rashes, or signs of skin conditions
- Extremities exam – Checking joints, circulation, and swelling in arms or legs
Additional Gender-Specific Exams
For Men (or individuals assigned male at birth)
- Testicular exam – Checking for lumps or abnormalities
- Hernia exam – Evaluating the abdominal wall for weakness
- Penis exam – Screening for signs of infection or abnormal growths
- Prostate exam – As needed, typically for men over 50 or at higher risk
- Mental health screening – Including checks for depression or anxiety
For Women (or individuals assigned female at birth)
Even without symptoms, your annual exam is essential for early detection and prevention of:
- Breast exam – Checking for lumps or signs of breast disease
- Pelvic exam – Examining reproductive organs and screening for cervical health
- Mental health screening – Including checks for depression or anxiety
Additional Exams for Children and Teens
Pediatric physicals at Boulder Medical Center are customized by age and may include:
- Immunizations – Staying current with recommended childhood vaccines
- Growth tracking – Monitoring height, weight, and development
- Blood pressure check – Screening for early hypertension
- Vision and hearing tests – Ensuring sensory development
- Complete physical exam – Including heart, lungs, abdomen, and more
- Mental health screening – Including checks for depression or anxiety for children aged 12 years and older
Are Lab Tests Part of An Annual Physical Exam?
There are no required lab tests for an annual physical, but your provider at Boulder Medical Center may recommend certain screenings based on your age, gender, health history, or risk factors, including:
- Complete blood count (CBC) – To assess overall health and detect disorders
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) – To evaluate kidney, liver, and metabolic function
- Urinalysis (UA) – To screen for kidney problems, infections, or diabetes
What Is Not Included in an Annual Physical Exam?
If your provider find a new issue during the exam, we will need to set up another appointment to take care of it—much like the dentist makes a separate visit to fix a cavity. If you need treatment or testing during your physical exam visit, you may see extra charges on your bill. This is because insurance carriers consider treating problems as a different type of visit.
Schedule Your Annual Physical Exam in Boulder, Erie, Longmont, or Louisville, CO
Whether you’re due for a men’s health check-up, women’s wellness exam, or pediatric physical, regular physical exams help you stay healthy, catch potential problems early, and build a strong relationship with your provider.
Make an appointment through your MyChart account online or find a new primary care provider. New patients welcome!