Resources · 8 February 2023 · Reviewed by the Live More Clinic Medical Team

Why Regular Medical Check-Ups Are Important For Everyone

Most people don’t realise the importance of regular check-ups in healthy ageing, especially people under the age of 30.  Incredibly, recent research suggests many men underestimate the value of routine care, with surveys finding a large share do not treat annual check-ups as a regular part of looking after themselves. It’s generally recommended that healthy adults under about 45 may have a check-up every one to three years, with annual visits commonly recommended from around age 45. Your doctor can advise the interval that suits you.  Depending on the results of the check-up, more targeted regular checks are most likely required to ensure any changes you’ve made are on track. Preventive care can be an important part of looking after your health.  Feeling well does not always rule out an underlying condition, and some issues are easier to manage when identified early. Taking the time to check in on your health regularly can be a valuable way to look after yourself. Here are a few key reasons to have regular check-ups and the role in preventive healthcare:

Early Detection

Regular check-ups and monitoring may help identify signs of heart disease and other health problems earlier, so that any appropriate care can be discussed with your doctor.

Identifies Risk Factors

Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help identify risk factors for heart disease and other health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Tracks Progress

Regular monitoring can track progress and effectiveness of treatments and lifestyle changes, allowing for adjustments to be made as needed.

Prevents Complications

Earlier detection and monitoring of health conditions is associated with better management and may reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart attack and stroke.

Improves Outcomes

Regular check-ups and monitoring are associated with better health outcomes, as identifying health problems early may help reduce the risk of more serious problems later.

Increases Awareness

Regular check-ups and monitoring can raise awareness of the importance of heart health and the need for ongoing monitoring and care.

Cost-Effective

Earlier detection and management of heart disease and other health problems through regular check-ups may help avoid more costly and invasive treatment associated with advanced-stage conditions. Check-ups do not need to be scary – in fact, if done regularly, they can give you a clearer picture of your health and lifestyle over the long term. Interested In a Check-Up? Live More offers a number of check-ups tailored to your individual needs. Get in touch with us for more information, or see our Diagnostics & Check-Up offering here.

References

1. Krogsbøll, L. T., Jørgensen, K. J., Gøtzsche, P. C. (2019). "General health checks in adults for reducing morbidity and mortality from disease." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1, CD009009
   https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009009.pub3
2. Liss, D. T., Uchida, T., Wilkes, C. L., et al. (2021). "General Health Checks in Adult Primary Care: A Review." JAMA, 325(22), 2294–2306
   https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.6524
3. World Health Organization (2024). "Noncommunicable diseases — Fact Sheet."
   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
4. US Preventive Services Task Force. "Recommendations for primary care practice."
   https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics
5. GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators (2020). "Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019." The Lancet, 396(10258), 1223–1249
   https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30752-2