Preventive Health Exam
A preventive health examination, or exam, is a scheduled visit with the healthcare provider. It is focused on detecting and preventing health problems. The exam will include a medical history and a physical exam. The provider may also order blood tests, urine tests, and other diagnostic procedures.
What is the information for this topic?
Infants younger than 1 year old have frequent preventive health exams, following a schedule for well-baby visits. Healthy individuals of other age groups should follow the provider's recommendations for scheduling exams. People over the age of 65 years, for example, may have more frequent exams. People with certain diseases and conditions may also need more frequent exams. Some examples of these disorders include:
coronary artery disease or other heart disease
diabetes
high blood pressure
high cholesterol levels in the blood
a history of cancer
A preventive health exam generally includes the following components:
blood pressure check
counseling about health risks and a healthy lifestyle
temperature, pulse, and respiration checks
weight and height
Other components may be included, depending on the person's sex, age, and health status. Some examples of these include:
blood glucose test
breast exam
cholesterol test
eye exam
hearing tests
pelvic exam and Pap smear
prostate exam
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