This week I had my yearly blood tests and medical (physical) which is something I have done now for the last 10 or so years. Better safe than sorry and knowing you are healthy with no underlying health factors is peace of mind.
My family and I are on private medical which is actually a waste of time besides the all important hospital visits if they are required which is what is important and these are covered 100%. Things like the doctors visits and these types of tests are not as the funds are depleted within the first few months of the year. The total cost for the visit and blood tests plus the normal health tests is only around R3600 so roughly $200 which is money well spent as it is being spent on your well being. I hate the doctors at the best of times so if this keeps me healthy by having regular check ups that is the small price to pay.
Private medical is something of a no brainer especially these days wherever you might live as waiting times and services have deteriorated considerably over the last 10 years. The costs of having private medical have soared and what is now covered is not what it used to be and the funds are not lasting till August/September like they once did not that long ago. The funds lasting till February is the normal today and so looking after your health is even more important financially.
The test results are back and this was a thorough blood test covering the important things and there are no new underlying conditions which is good to know. Cholesterol has been a small problem over the last few years and that is now less than half of what it was a year ago so eating healthier does help. This is important and why these health checks benefit those that do them as most things can be easily fixed before they become a serious problem.
Doctors like to call medical emergencies "events" for some reason and many years ago I was warned I would have an event within 5 years if I never changed my diet. I am sure this was just scare tactics as the only even I have had was blood clots which nearly killed me and got lucky. That was more down to lifestyle working long hours sometimes involving multiple days with no sleep. The other was the Gall Bladder which I admit was diet and woke me up that I need to pay attention to my diet and what I eat.
I know many people who do not do these tests annually and I am sure it is more down to financial and not out of a personal choice. You would think private medical would want you to do these as in the long run it would save them expenses treating problems or "events" through not knowing.
Receiving a clean bill of health is what matters and this is no free pass to party until next year, but is good to know you are healthy. The older you get you just never know so staying healthy is not something you can just take for granted and you are more aware the older you get.