Senior Health Wellness Visits for Men 4/25/2023 | By Howard LeWine, M.D. Men are often reluctant to go to a doctor when they are sick – and especially when they feel healthy – but wellness visits for men can serve a vital function in well-being and longevity. Dr. Howard LeWine looks at benefits and provides guidelines for men of different ages. Question: I consider myself a healthy man. Do I really need a yearly physical exam? Answer: While men often call it the yearly physical, the annual ritual is better named a wellness visit or preventive health appointment. Whatever you call it, men should still have one every year as it remains an important part of primary care. For many men, this is one of the few extended opportunities they have for an in-depth conversation about their health. The meeting helps both the patient and the doctor address concerns, look at preventive measures, and create health goals and expectations together. The traditional annual physical exam that focuses only on routine measurements and tests has drawn criticism in the past. Studies of the cookie-cutter model say it offers little value to people and does not increase life expectancy. Annual wellness visits for men can provide more than a snapshot of their current health. Over time, men need the chance to identify and reflect on what is important for their health and what goals they want to accomplish. Without this regular interaction with their doctor, they can end up running around with no clear idea of where they are in terms of their overall health and the best ways to reach their new goals. Today doctors more often call these periodic visits to a doctor “wellness visits” rather than a “regular check-ups” or “yearly physical exams.” It can serve many purposes. During this visit, your doctor will want to: Ask if you have any new symptoms or health concerns. Review your family medical history to see if you have a greater than average risk for certain diseases, such as diabetes. Review your medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter) and use of herbs and supplements. Ask about health habits, including diet, exercise and use of tobacco and alcohol. Perform a physical examination. Administer vaccines or other preventive treatment. Also, this visit is an ideal opportunity for you to: Ask any questions that you might have. Learn more ways to stay healthy. Does every adult male need a routine physical each year? Not necessarily. Everyone should have their blood pressure checked every one to two years. Otherwise, I suggest a wellness visit every three to five years between ages 18 and 40, and every two years from ages 40-50. Once adults reach age 50, I usually recommend that they see their doctor once per year. But don’t wait for a routine visit if you have new symptoms. Call your doctor’s office for advice. Your doctor may not want you to wait for a regular check-up. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. ©2023 Harvard University. For terms of use, please see https://www.health.harvard.edu/terms-of-use. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Read similar health articles on Seniors Guide like this one: Sleep and Heart Health Read More Howard LeWine, M.D. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu.