Preventive health check-ups are no longer a formality. In modern medicine, they are one of the most effective ways to protect your health, detect diseases early, and avoid serious complications in the future.
Regular check-ups help identify changes long before symptoms appear. Subtle shifts in blood tests, early cardiovascular risks, or metabolic imbalances often go unnoticed without routine screening. That is why doctors worldwide emphasize prevention rather than treating problems only when something hurts.
This guide is based on the recommendations of Ministry of Health of Ukraine and international clinical protocols.
Annual Basic Health Check-Up From Age 14
From the age of 14, everyone is advised to undergo a basic health check-up once a year. Its purpose is to assess overall health and identify early risk factors.
A standard annual check-up usually includes:
- Complete blood count with differential to detect anemia, inflammation, and blood disorders
- Blood glucose test for early detection of type 2 diabetes
(risk-based before 45, mandatory for everyone after 45)
- Lipid profile to assess cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk
(recommended annually after age 40)
- Urinalysis to evaluate kidney function
- Blood pressure measurement, with optimal values below 130/80 mmHg
- ECG to assess heart rhythm
(as indicated before 40, annually after 40)
Depending on individual risk factors, lung screening (fluorography, questionnaire, or low-dose CT) and testing for HIV and hepatitis B and C may also be recommended.
After the age of 50, colorectal cancer screening using a fecal occult blood test becomes an important part of preventive care. For people with inflammatory bowel disease, screening may start earlier.
Annual visits to a family physician and dentist, skin examinations with dermoscopy, and eye exams to monitor vision and intraocular pressure are also key elements of prevention.
Women’s Health Check-Up
Women’s preventive care focuses on reproductive health, breast health, and thyroid function.
Regular examinations include gynecological check-ups with Pap smears, annual breast ultrasound before age 40, and mammography every 1–2 years after 40. Bone density testing may be recommended when indicated. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) testing is important, as thyroid disorders are significantly more common in women.
Men’s Health Check-Up
Many male health conditions develop silently. After age 40, annual visits to a urologist are recommended. Between ages 45 and 50, PSA testing is added for prostate cancer screening. Abdominal ultrasound helps monitor the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
When More Frequent Check-Ups Are Needed
More frequent screening is recommended for people with a family history of cancer or cardiovascular disease, smokers, individuals with excess weight, sedentary lifestyles, or chronic stress.
Why Regular Health Check-Ups Matter
Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes. Cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers are highly treatable when diagnosed early. Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Preventive care is also financially smarter than treating advanced disease.
Important!
If you have chronic conditions, your screening schedule should be determined individually by your doctor
Take care of your health today
If you are unsure where to start or want professional guidance, contact the doctors at Remed. They will help you choose the right health check-up plan and support you at every step.