The Importance of Yearly Physicals

You haven’t seen a medical provider in a while, but why should you? After all, if you have no pains, no aches, and you sleep well, you might assume you’re probably fine. You might be. But don’t you want to know for sure?

Many chronic conditions don’t present symptoms at all. Hypertension and heart disease, for example, are known as “silent killers” for precisely that reason.

If you’re still not convinced to make that yearly visit, our expert at North Tex MedCare Clinic & Urgent Care, Dr. Frank Lee, explains what benefits you might be missing out on:

 Catch problems before they escalate

Alongside heart disease, conditions like diabetes and even cancer often don’t cause symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly.

With heart disease, one of the first warning signs may be elevated blood pressure — a change that can appear years before heart attacks or strokes occur.

In type 2 diabetes, your body gradually becomes less effective at using insulin to maintain stable blood sugar levels. This can lead to insulin resistance and eventually prediabetes. With early detection, lifestyle changes — including reducing sugar intake — can halt the progression to full-blown diabetes.

When it comes to cancer, early detection is key to improving treatment outcomes. Some cancers caught early may not even require extensive treatment.

Monitor chronic conditions

Close monitoring is key for chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. These visits allow your provider to adjust medications, recommend alternatives, or offer guidance on lifestyle changes to improve your overall quality of life.

Build a health record 

Seeing Dr. Lee annually helps create a comprehensive health record over time. Patterns in your bloodwork, weight, or other metrics can emerge — patterns that one-time visits may overlook. This long-term view supports more personalized and effective care.

Stay on top of your yearly vaccinations and screenings

Your yearly physical is also an excellent time to ensure you're current on essential vaccinations and preventive screenings. Dr. Lee can administer flu shots, tetanus boosters, and other necessary immunizations. We also screen for osteoporosis, STIs, and other conditions, all in one visit.

Support your weight loss journey

Struggling to lose weight on your own? Dr. Lee offers various services to support healthy weight loss, including access to a nutritionist, personalized diet plans, and medical weight loss options like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide injections.

Know you are well

One of the best feelings is knowing you are well and having someone by your side if an issue arises. Early diagnosis means easier management, better outcomes, and less worry.

Feel confident about your health by scheduling an appointment at one of our offices in Allen, Addison, Fort Worth, or San Antonio, Texas.