The average checkup is shorter than a round of putting practice. If you walk in with a short list, you walk out with answers instead of a vague "everything looks fine." Here are eight questions worth copying onto your phone before the next one.
- Which screenings am I due for this year? Colon, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and others depend on your age and history. Ask what's due and what can wait.
- Should we talk about prostate screening? Guidance for men in their 50s and 60s is to make it a shared decision. Ask what the test involves, and the pros and cons for you.
- Are all my medicines still needed, and taken at the right time of day? Bring the bottles or a list, including anything over the counter.
- Is my sleep worth looking into? Snoring, waking up tired or getting up several times a night can all have causes worth checking.
- What should my blood pressure and weight targets be? Numbers you know are numbers you can work on.
- Which vaccines am I missing? Shingles, pneumonia and others change after 50.
- Is there anything in my family history we should act on? Heart disease, diabetes and some cancers change what your doctor looks for.
- What one change would make the biggest difference for me? Doctors usually have an answer. Ask for it.
Two minutes of prep
Write down any changes since last year: sleep, energy, bathroom habits, aches that won't quit. Bring your list of medicines. And if you have more than three questions, lead with the one that matters most to you.
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About this guide. General information for adult readers, not medical advice. It can't account for your health history or medicines, so talk to your doctor before acting on it. How we work: editorial standards.