Annual Health Assessment

Physical Exam and Vital Signs

Your physical exam includes:

• An in-depth consultation & physical exam with your physician. From screening for vital signs to reviewing your family history, your physical exam is an opportunity for you and your physician to discuss any current concerns you may have.

• A vaccination review. Are you up-to-date with your immunizations? If you have an unclear immunization history, your nurse or doctor will discuss your vaccination options. Immunizations can be provided same-day at Medcan.

• An abdominal ultrasound. This examination gives your Medcan physician a clear view of your pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, spleen, and major blood vessels, helping to ensure that all your vital organs are healthy.

Cardiovascular Health

It is important to learn about your heart to help prevent or treat heart disease. There are several critical components of our Annual Health Assessment that will contribute to your cardiovascular health.

• 12-lead electrocardiogram and exercise stress test. Evaluates heart function and checks for heart disease in individuals aged 35 and older.
• Due to high risk of COVID-19 transmission, we are not offering cardiac stress testing at this time. Instead, all clients will complete a resting ECG test.

In the absence of exercise stress tests during the pandemic, our High Sensitivity Troponin-I test—part of the Annual Health Assessment’s full panel blood test—is an excellent cardiac screening test. Combined with the Annual Health Assessment’s lipid testing, it can provide an accurate assessment of future cardiac risk. For further cardiac screening, you can also choose to include a Cardiovascular Risk Assessment as an add-on to your Annual Health Assessment.

When it is safe to do so, the full stress testing station will be reintroduced to the Annual Health Assessment for appropriate clients and will be used in combination with High Sensitivity Troponin-I test results to determine cardiac risk and appropriate next steps.

• Respiratory function to measure lung capacity. Checks for airway restriction, asthma and emphysema.
• Ankle Brachial Index. Tests for hardening and narrowing of peripheral arteries.

During your assessment, your physician will determine if deeper insight is required and may recommend further diagnostic Cardiology testing, available the same day at Medcan.

Full Panel Blood and Urine Testing

A urinalysis and full panel blood test are conducted to examine a broad range of indicators that can identify conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease, which may not cause symptoms in the early stages.

For those aged 35 and older, the High Sensitivity Troponin-I test provides an excellent assessment of cardiovascular risk. Individuals identified as low-risk will not be required to complete the exercise stress test as part of their Annual Health Assessment.

For your convenience and peace of mind, test results are reviewed the same day with a Medcan physician and registered dietitian.

Testing your hearing and vision

We will assess your hearing and vision, both of which are vital to quality of life as we age.

• Hearing.  An audiometric test assesses your hearing ability, and screens for any hearing loss or diseases of the ear. If an issue is suspected, a more comprehensive hearing test may be requested by the on-site audiologist.

• Vision. A standard eye exam tests your ability to see objects at near and far distances. A comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist may be recommended if concerns arise. If pre-booked, an optometrist eye exam can be completed at Medcan same-day.

Measuring your fitness

There are three parts to the fitness assessment:

• Muscle and Joint Fitness. Focuses on how well your muscles and joints are functioning to provide movement, including bio-mechanics, tests for strength and flexibility, and risk of injury.

• Anthropometric Fitness. Integrates key measures such as waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and percentage of body fat, to give you the insight needed to enhance your health through improved body composition.

• Cardiopulmonary Fitness. This estimated VO2 max assessment measures how well your heart and lungs function together to transport oxygen to your working tissues.

Ensuring the best nutrition

If your goal is to shed excess weight, lower your cholesterol or blood pressure, or simply boost your energy, changing your eating habits can go a long way in helping you get there.

Your assessment includes a consultation with a registered dietitian, who will review your eating habits, as well as any health concerns identified in the results of your assessment. You’ll then receive recommendations that address any specific issues and improve your overall health.

Social and mental well-being review

Mental health is just as important to overall well-being as physical health.

An Annual Health Assessment is an ideal opportunity to support your health in this area. We can help you explore the benefits of engaging a registered psychologist, a coach, or a more structured program such as stress reduction.

A social and mental well-being consultation will be included in your assessment if you express interest prior to your appointment or if your responses to the preparation questionnaire indicate that a consultation may be of value.

For Men

The biological differences between men and women can lead to very different health outcomes. That’s why Medcan offers Annual Health Assessments tailored to men, based on their unique needs.

• Prostate-specific antigen test. Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes and early diagnosis is key. Using a simple blood test, we will measure for Prostate-Specific Antigen in your body, one of the best tools for the early detection of prostate cancer. For men over 40.
• Bone Mineral Density Screening. Osteoporosis is not unique to women. If you’re 60 and over, mineral density screening can identify your risk for osteoporosis by looking for thinning of bones and future risk of fracture.

For Women

The biological differences between men and women can lead to very different health outcomes. That’s why Medcan offers Annual Health Assessments tailored to women, based on their unique needs.

• Mammogram and Breast Ultrasound. For women over 40, a mammogram is an important component of the Annual Health Assessment.
  Early detection of breast cancer can increase the chances of survival, as well as reduce treatment and recovery time. Some women may have dense breast tissue that makes the detection of cancer difficult using a mammogram. In these select cases, an ultrasound may be used to ensure proper diagnosis.

• Gynaecologic Evaluation. We offer a full evaluation of the female reproductive system, including a pap test, pelvic exam, and a transvaginal ultrasound if you’re over 50. These tests screen for cancer and infections or abnormalities of the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. HPV testing is also available.
• Bone Mineral Density Screening. If you’re 60 and over, mineral density screening can identify your risk for osteoporosis by looking for thinning of bones and future risk of fracture.