Importance of Annual Physical Exam

Why Do Annual Health Checkups Matter? (Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol Tests)

Many serious illnesses do not cause symptoms early. By the time you feel sick, the disease may already be advanced. Annual checkups help detect problems early—before complications happen.  

In the Philippines, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease are among the leading causes of illness and death—yet many are preventable with early detection.  

1.  Blood Pressure (BP) Check

Why it’s important:

• High blood pressure often has no warning signs

• Known as the “silent killer”

• Can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness  

Who should check:

• All adults at least once a year

• More often if overweight, stressed, or with family history  

Healthy target:

• Below 120/80 mmHg  

2.  Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Test

Why it’s important:

• Detects diabetes and prediabetes

• High sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes

• Early diabetes can be reversed with lifestyle changes  

Who should check:

• Adults 30 years old and above

• Younger adults if overweight or with diabetic relatives  

Healthy levels:

• Normal: below 100 mg/dL

• Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL

• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher  

3.  Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Test)

Why it’s important:

• High cholesterol can block blood vessels

• Increases risk of heart attack and stroke

• No symptoms until complications occur  

Who should check:

Adults once a year, especially if:

• Smoker

• Overweight

• With hypertension or diabetes  

Healthy targets (general guide):

• Total cholesterol: <200 mg/dL

• LDL (“bad cholesterol”): <100 mg/dL

• HDL (“good cholesterol”): higher is better  

Why Do Annual Physical Exam (APE) Every Year?

• Detect disease early

• Prevent expensive hospital admissions

• Reduce need for dialysis or lifelong medications

• Live longer and healthier

• Protect your family by staying well