H08 -- February 2007 -- Importance of Regular Checkups

Intro: Going to the doctor for an annual exam is not most people's idea of fun. But regular checkups can help you learn about how to stay healthy. They can even save your life. That's what happened to the man you're about to meet. He's alive and well thanks in part to a regular exam.

BOB JOHNSON IS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND VERY BUSY BUSINESS MAN.

"I'M KIND OF A WORKAHOLIC. I GO, GO, GO."

LONG WORK DAYS AND LOTS OF TRAVEL MADE IT HARD FOR BOB TO DEVOTE TIME TO HIS HEALTH.

"I REALIZED I WAS PROBABLY PUSHING IT, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME."

"ON THE TREADMILL TEST HIS HEART RATE DIDN'T INCREASE TO THE LEVEL YOU'D EXPECT. HE HAD AN 80-PERCENT BLOCKAGE IN THREE OF THE VESSELS OF HIS HEART."

MAYO CLINIC DOCTOR ROBERT ORFORD SAYS WITHOUT INTERVENTION, A BYPASS, BOB WOULD LIKELY HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK. BOB WILL NEVER FORGET HOW DR. ORFORD TOLD HIM THE NEWS.

"HE SAID, 'THIS IS YOUR LUCKY DAY. YOU HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL, YOU'RE BLESSED.'"

THAT'S BECAUSE BOB'S REGULAR EXAM HELPED HIM GET THE TREATMENT HE NEEDED TO PREVENT A HEART ATTACK.

"AS MUCH AS 60-PERCENT OF THE CASUES OF DEATH ARE PREVENTABLE THINGS (LIKE HEART DISEASE AND CERTAIN FORMS OF CANCER) THAT CAN BE PICKED UP EARLY BY PROPER SCREENING."

DURING REGULAR CHECK-UPS YOUR DOCTOR TAKES YOUR FAMILY HISTORY AND PERFORMS ROUTINE TESTS, SUCH AS CHECKING BLOOD PRESSURE, HEART RATE, AND CHOLESTEROL. HE OR SHE ALSO MIGHT RECOMMEND OTHER TESTS IF YOU'RE AT RISK FOR THINGS LIKE HEART DISEASE, STROKE OR CANCER. THOSE TESTS DURING DOCTOR VISITS CAN HELP IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLY STOP BAD EVENTS FROM HAPPENING. BOB CONSIDERS HIS EXPERIENCE TO BE A WAKE UP CALL.

"I GOT THE MESSAGE."

NOW HIS HEALTH IS BOB'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. FOR MEDICAL EDGE. I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: How often should you have regular check ups? That depends on several things, but in general, if you're in good heath, it has to do with age. If you're an adult under 50 have a thorough medical exam at least once every two to three years. From 50 to 60, every two years. And if you're over 60 a yearly check up is best. For more information on regular exams and Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program visit our Web site at ...

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