Seven reasons why you should get an annual health screening

Getting annual blood work can help you stay proactive about your health, says St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Bē Health and Well-Being® navigator and long-time health coach

We know you have a lot of numbers to remember – your social security number, your boss’s extension and your anniversary.

But, there are some really important numbers that you should know that can help with health problems before they start or if caught early. It’s your biometrics, and you can learn these numbers with annual blood work at your primary care office.

An annual health screening with lab work can help you and your healthcare provider learn important health information including your blood pressure, total cholesterol (HDL, LDL and triglycerides), A1C and glucose and body mass index, just to name a few.

Knowing these numbers can help identify those at high risk for heart disease, prediabetes and diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.

“By getting annual blood work, you can stay proactive about your health, address small issues before they become significant and work with your doctor to optimize your overall well-being,” says Sarah Hanson, Bē Health and Well-Being® navigator and health coach at our St. Joseph’s/Candler Richmond Hill Campus at Heartwood.

You should fast for at least 10 to 12 hours prior to your appointment.

As a long-time health and well-being educator, Hanson says it’s her experience that getting basic blood work done annually is important to preventive healthcare. Why? Here are seven reasons:

1. It monitors your overall health: Annual blood tests provide a baseline of your health metrics, making it easier to detect any changes or trends over time.
2. It’s early detection for diseases: Blood work can identify warning signs of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, anemia or liver and kidney problems before symptoms appear. Early detection allows for timely intervention and better outcomes.
3. It helps manage chronic conditions: For individuals with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, regular blood work is crucial to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and adjust medications if necessary.
4. It assesses organ function: Blood tests measure how well your vital organs, such as kidneys, liver and heart, are functioning. This is especially important as you age.
5. It monitors nutritional deficiencies: Basic blood work can reveal deficiencies in vitamins (like B12 or D) and minerals (like iron) which are essential for overall health.
6. It evaluates risk factors: Tests like lipid panels (cholesterol and triglycerides) help assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. Monitoring these numbers yearly can prompt lifestyle changes or treatments to lower your risk.
7. It establishes a health record: Regular blood work helps your healthcare provider build a comprehensive health history, which is valuable for diagnosing new symptoms or conditions in the future.

“Getting even basic blood work done annually is an important part of preventive healthcare,” Hanson says. “It helps track your overall health, detect potential issues early and ensures your body is functioning properly.”

If you are due for an annual health screening and blood work, find a primary care provider near you with St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network. 

If you’d like more information about our Bē Health and Well-Being® program, including fitness classes and other offerings, please visit our website.