6 Things You Should Never Do Before a Physical

A physical examination, or “physical,” is when a healthcare provider performs an annual (sometimes less often) check-up of your overall health by measuring vital signs, reviewing your medical history and medications, evaluating your body from head to toe, and performing specific blood tests.

If you are scheduled for a physical, avoiding the following missteps will help you be relaxed and prepared, ensuring a successful, optimal visit.

1. Leave Vital Documents/Items at Home

Remember not to leave critical documents or items at home that will help you optimally function at your appointment, such as:

• Health insurance card
• Driver’s license, passport, or government ID
• A list of your health issues and the different specialists you see for them. Ideally, include each specialist’s contact information and the date of your last appointment
• Vital medical records (e.g., a report of a recent imaging test you had completed)
• Eyeglasses or hearing aids to assist you during the appointment, if appropriate

If preferred, bring a family member or friend to your physical, who could help you recall issues you want to address or provide comfort.

2. Eat or Drink (Except Water) If Instructed to Fast

Depending on factors such as your age and current health conditions, your provider may order various blood tests to be drawn right after your physical.

Some of these blood tests, namely a fasting blood sugar and lipid (cholesterol) test, including triglycerides (a type of fat), require that you not eat or drink anything (except water) for 8 to 12 hours before the test.

The reason for fasting is that food or drinks, including alcohol and coffee, can influence the physical exam by temporarily raising your blood pressure or heart rate, and also lead to inaccurate blood test results.

Additional caveats to keep in mind before your physical include:

• Water: Don’t avoid water when fasting, as dehydration can make it difficult to draw blood and raise blood concentrations, which can affect blood test results. The good news is that one study found that drinking 300 milliliters (ml) of water, or about 1.25 cups, 1 hour before a blood draw does not interfere with blood test results.
• Medications: Take all of your usual medications on the day of your physical, unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.
• Timing: If your physical is in the afternoon, fasting all day rather than overnight can be challenging and even dangerous for some individuals. In such cases, call your provider’s office and ask whether you can reschedule your bloodwork to an early morning time, ideally between 7 and 9 a.m.

Be Ready for a Urine Test

Before your visit, ask your provider if they will also be collecting urine so don’t make a bathroom stop immediately before you are asked to produce a urine specimen.

3. Smoke

Besides fasting, avoid the following before a physical to minimize potential interference with specific blood tests.

Avoid smoking for 10 to 12 hours to prevent “false” elevations in these blood tests:

• Cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• White blood cell count (a measure of infection-fighting cells in your body)
• Inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP)

4. Exercise Intensely

Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours to prevent the following:

• A temporary drop in blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
• A temporary rise in creatinine kinase level (a muscle marker of inflammation)
• Dehydration can make blood draws challenging and affect various electrolyte and liver function tests.

5. Neglect to Record Symptoms or Questions

In the days leading up to your physical, write down anything new or worrisome that has popped up since you last saw a healthcare provider.

Examples might include:

• New symptoms or old symptoms that have worsened or changed since your last physical. (e.g., changes in your mood, your partner noticing that you are snoring, or more frequent infections).
• Notes about current health problems—for example, home blood pressure readings if you have hypertension, or a diary of potential triggers if you have migraine headaches.
• Inquiries about a vitamin, supplement, or OTC drug you have considered trying.
• General health-related questions, such as whether you are due for any vaccinations or cancer screenings.

When formulating your list, whether that’s in a notebook or on your phone, document your thoughts, symptoms, or questions from most to least pressing and address them right away, at the start of your appointment.

6. Forget Your Medications

A key component of your physical is reviewing all of the medicines you are taking.

It’s easiest to devise a medication list. Include the drug’s name, its dosage, and who prescribed or recommended it. Such drugs might include:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
• Vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies

If you are short on time or forget to make a list, it’s also OK to bring your medication bottles in a bag to your physical. Alternatively, take a photo of each medication on your phone with the dosage and prescriber information.

Asd you review your medication, remember to prioritize the following:

• Discuss unpleasant or bothersome side effects.
• Ask your provider about any possible drug interactions.