The Health Audit: Preparing for Your Annual Physical or Health Assessment

Key Takeaways

• Be Proactive: Schedule an annual Health Audit so you're not caught off guard by sudden symptoms.
• Come Prepared: Bring your medical history, medications list, and questions to the appointment.
• Know Your Numbers: Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly.
• Lifestyle plays an important role in overall health. Use the audit results as a prompt to make positive changes to your eating habits and physical activity.
• Follow-up: Complete your testing cycle by meeting with your doctor to understand the implications for your future health.

We are so busy nowadays that our health is easily forgotten and pushed down the priority list. We service our cars, update our insurance, and audit our finances annually, yet many Australians only go to the doctor when something is "broken."

As a General Practitioner, I promote a change of attitude. Instead of going to the doctor's clinic only when you are sick, consider your yearly check-up a "Health Audit". It is a regular health review, a moment to reset your lifestyle, and an opportunity to identify issues early that could become problems.

It does not matter if you are in your 20s or 60s; a regular health examination helps identify potential health issues early and supports informed health decisions. This article explains what a health audit is, how to prepare for it, and how to get the most from your doctor's visit.

Why Annual Health Audits Are Crucial for Long-Term Health

Preventive health is about the future. High blood pressure and cholesterol changes may not cause noticeable symptoms in some people. In fact, you may be in a perfect state of health while your body is slowly getting ready for a disease.

During an annual health audt, a person's baseline is established. By monitoring key health parameters (such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney function) annually, we can detect abnormalities. A minor rise in blood pressure over 3 years is more indicative than a single measurement.

Moreover, these evaluation sessions will enable us to discuss the "invisible" aspects of health, such as stress, mental health, and sleep. Let us not forget that our bodies are complex systems; for example, stress can cause skin flare-ups and heart problems.

How to Prepare for Your Annual Health Check

Your doctor will be better able to help you if you bring the right things to your appointment. Since your doctor won't be able to spend much time with you, the medical professional will only focus on the most critical tasks, depending on how well you have prepared.

1. Gather Your Past Health Details

In case the doctor is new to you or you haven't seen them for an extended period, the first thing you should do is write down your medical history. The following is the list of things that should be in your medical history:

• Family History: Have any of your family members developed a heart condition, diabetes, cancer, or been having hormonal problems since you last checked?
• Medications: List all medications you take, starting with prescription medicines and including any over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
• Vaccines: Most recent dates of tetanus, influenza, or COVID-19 vaccinations.

2. Know Your Stats (and Symptoms)

Reflect on the changes in you and be prepared to discuss them.

• Have you noticed a change in your weight without trying to control it?
• How do you sleep these days?
• Have you got any new skin problem(s) identification? (Besides the general health check, these skin problems can be easily assessed; for example, one of the underlying causes of chronic dehydration could be skin problems.)
• Are your bowel movements regular?

3. Prepare Your Questions

When you see the doctor, you will most likely forget the questions you had prepared. To use your time and questions efficiently, write down your top three talking points in your notebook or on your phone.

• "How likely am I to develop diabetes?"
• "My energy seems to be going by midday. Why is that?"
• "Can I continue with my workout plan, or is it going to damage my joints?"

If you do not have time or are uncomfortable visiting the clinic, you can schedule a telehealth consultation and complete the preparatory work at home. After reviewing your medical history, I can order the blood tests needed for your physical exam.

What to Expect During Your Health Audit and Assessment

A health audit involves more than simply talking. Besides your age and health risk factors, the check-up usually consists of three steps: a physical examination, a conversation and pathology (tests).

The Physical Exam

This is the "hands-on" part of the visit.

• Vitals: Your blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight will be measured to calculate BMI.
• Heart and Lungs: Listening for irregular rhythms or wheezing.
• Abdomen: Palpating (feeling) for any tenderness or organ enlargement.
• Skin Check: A quick visual scan for suspicious moles or rashes.

The Discussion

We will discuss your lifestyle habits, including smoking, drinking, diet, and exercise. Here, you should be truthful. We are not here to scold you. If you exceed the recommended limits, this information helps us evaluate how your liver is functioning.

The Key Health Screenings Included in Your Annual Health Audit

The tests will largely depend on your age, sex, and family history. However, the regular health assessment or "Health Audit" mainly consists of

1. Cardiovascular Health

• Lipid Profile: Measures your "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

2. Diabetes Screening

• Fasting Blood Glucose / HbA1c: These tests check how your body processes sugar. With the increasing number of cases of type 2 diabetes in Australia, this is an essential screening.

3. Organ Function

• Liver Function Tests: Show how efficiently your liver filters blood. This matter is usually raised with alcohol drinkers or long-term medication users.
• Kidney Function Tests: Ensure the kidneys are functioning correctly and that waste products are being expelled.

4. Cancer Screenings (Age Dependent)

• Cervical Screening Test: One test every 5 years for females aged 25 74.
• Bowel Cancer Screening: FOBT is the recommended test kit to be performed every 2 years for Australians aged 50 and older.
• Breast and Prostate Checks: Discussed on an individual basis.

5. Other assessments

Homeostasis may have to rely on our stores if there is a nutritional deficiency (e.g., iron, Vitamin D, or B12). Our diet and food absorption are the primary entry points for these nutrients. For example, if we feel tired or avoid animal protein (e.g., as a vegan), we will check iron and vitamin B12 levels.

For more details on age-based screening, see our Wellbeing Over 40 guide.

Understanding Your Health Report After Your Assessment

You will receive a report or a phone follow-up call a few days after your blood work. Some explanation of these findings is provided in this article.

"Normal" Ranges

Typically, a reference range is included with the pathology report results (e.g., 3.5-5.5). An outcome of 5.6 will be marked as "High".

• Do Not Panic: Just because your test result is slightly off the scale does not necessarily make you a patient. Possible causes include dehydration, a recent meal, or stress.
• Perception is everything: It is your doctor who makes the connection between these results and your particular situation. If there are no risk factors present apart from a slightly elevated cholesterol level, then this might be fine, but it is definitely a problem if the person smokes.

TheFollow-Upp

Please speak with your doctor about your test results. Getting a "Results Normal" text message is nice; however, a conversation is even better. During a discussion, you may inquire, "I get it that these are normal, but are they okay as far as health is concerned?"

When necessary, a follow-up consultation will also be the time for your GP to make arrangements, such as referring you to a gastroenterologist if stomach or intestinal issues require further evaluation.

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Improving Your Health Audit Results

Imagine that you have just had your audit, and the doctor has told you that your cholesterol level is "borderline" and your blood pressure is "slowly increasing". These results are excellent once your early warning system has fulfilled its intended purpose.

Now comes the real challenge. Medication is usually unnecessary if you can address the issue through lifestyle changes.

Nutrition

• Cut Back on Salt: Excess salt intake is a leading cause of high blood pressure and should be limited.
• Go for Fibre: Soluble fibre (e.g., in oats and lentils) can soak up cholesterol like a sponge.
• Drink Enough Water: Staying hydrated facilitates kidney functions and provides you with more energy.

Movement

• 150 Minutes: Engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for 150 minutes per week. What you do doesn't have to be running a marathon; walking at a brisk pace will do just fine.
• Resistance Exercises: In addition to supporting blood sugar regulation and metabolism, muscle gain is one way to slow the aging process.

Stress Management

Being under continuous stress results in higher cortisol levels, which, in turn, can lead to increased blood pressure and blood sugar. Medical interventions here can include mindfulness, good sleep, and sufficient rest.

The Power of Regular Health Audits for Preventing Chronic Diseases

The ultimate goal of the health audit is prevention.

While Australia boasts an excellent healthcare system, it is often burdened by chronically ill patients who could have been prevented. Regular health reviews can support long-term health planning and informed decision-making.

Regular health audits are the key to Early Intervention. It's much easier to nip pre diabetes in the bud than to deal with full-blown diabetes. High blood pressure can be managed through diet and lifestyle, thus enabling the person to avoid heart attacks or stroke.

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References:

• Department of Health and Aged Care. (n.d.). Chronic conditions. Australian Government.
• Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Health checks for men and women.