Annual physical examinations have long become a standard practice for modern individuals concerned about their health. However, upon receiving the report, many people only focus on whether the "indicators are within the normal range" and feel reassured upon seeing "no abnormalities," overlooking the more valuable annual comparison data.
Jin Hong, Director of the Health Management Center at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, reminds us that focusing solely on a single physical examination result without comparing it over the years is a common misconception in health management. Comparing annual physical examination data allows for long-term tracking of bodily "warning signals," and the trend of indicator changes can more accurately reflect health dynamics than a single test, providing crucial evidence for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Normal single indicator ≠ healthy body
Director Jin Hong explained that the normal range of physical examination indicators is a general standard based on large population data, but factors such as individual differences and changes in lifestyle can diminish the reference value of the "normal range".
For example, Mr. Liu's blood pressure during his physical examination was 129/89mmHg, which is within the normal high-value range. However, if his blood pressure was only 110/70mmHg last year, the significant increase in just one year could be an early warning signal of prehypertension.
Director Jin Hong said that the development of some chronic diseases is a gradual process. In the early stage, there may not be any indicators exceeding the standard, but the continuous fluctuation of data already indicates potential health risks. Especially for people over 40 years old, those with a family history of hypertension, diabetes, or those who work in the office and have a long-term habit of staying up late, sitting for long periods, and eating irregularly, health management cannot be ignored just based on a single normal indicator.
For annual comparison, focus on "changing trends"
How to correctly interpret the annual comparison of a physical examination report? Director Jin Hong provided specific guidance: First, pay attention to the continuous upward or downward trends of indicators. Whether it's basic items such as blood and urine routine tests, liver and kidney function tests, blood glucose, blood lipids, electrocardiogram, upper and lower abdominal ultrasound examinations, low-dose spiral CT, or key screening items such as thyroid function tests and tumor marker tests, continuous unidirectional changes over 2-3 years (such as cholesterol increasing year by year or creatinine levels continuously rising) are more alarming than a single mild abnormality. Taking tumor markers as an example, if the test value of some indicators increases by more than 30% this year compared to last year, even if it remains within the normal range, further examination is necessary to rule out potential lesions.
Secondly, we should pay attention to changes in threshold indicators. Many people dismiss indicators that are "close to the upper limit of normal", but Director Jin Hong emphasizes that such indicators are healthy "warning lines". For example, if the triglyceride test value increases from 1.6 mmol/L (normal) to 1.7 mmol/L (threshold), although it does not exceed the standard, it may be related to recent high-fat diet and lack of exercise. If lifestyle is not adjusted in time, it may subsequently develop into hyperlipidemia. In addition, we should also pay attention to the correlated changes between indicators. For example, if blood pressure increases and fasting blood glucose also rises, it may indicate the risk of metabolic syndrome, requiring comprehensive intervention.
"Annual comparison is not just a simple accumulation of numbers, but rather finding the root cause of health issues through data correlation analysis," suggested Director Jin Hong. After a physical examination, individuals can bring their past reports to consult the chief examining doctor, who will provide personalized interpretation based on factors such as age, gender, and lifestyle habits, to avoid misjudgment or neglect caused by self-judgment.
Attach importance to annual physical examination comparison and take the first step towards health management
From a professional perspective, Director Jin Hong put forward three suggestions for scientific health management: Firstly, properly retain physical examination reports over the years, establish personal health records, and focus on saving key indicator data such as blood pressure and blood glucose; secondly, fix the physical examination institution and testing items to avoid interference in data comparison due to differences in equipment and reagents; finally, dynamically adjust the health plan. If there is an abnormal trend in indicators, it is necessary to start simultaneously from both lifestyle intervention (adjusting diet, increasing exercise, and ensuring sleep) and medical examination and treatment.
Director Jin Hong emphasized that health management requires dynamic adjustments, and annual comparison serves as a crucial "navigation tool". Physical examination should not be treated as a one-time event, but rather, it should utilize data as a basis to continuously optimize health strategies, enabling early detection and intervention of diseases. Paying attention to annual data comparison is akin to catching health "warning signals", and its significance goes far beyond whether individual indicators are normal or not. It is hoped that everyone will make good use of physical examination data, proactively manage their health, and lay a solid foundation for long-term health.
Health Management Center
The Health Management Center, relying on Hainan Cancer Hospital and Hainan Chengmei Hospital, aims to implement the "Healthy China" strategy, expand the connotation and extension of traditional physical examination services, transform and extend from disease treatment to health management, and provide health management services, striving to build the most professional health management institution. Adhering to the service principle of "professional authority, customized exclusivity, and safeguarding health", the center has established a complete set of professional, refined, and standardized service processes in accordance with the central leaders' healthcare system, providing professional services to high-end individuals such as provincial and ministerial leaders, foreign VIPs, business elites, and social celebrities.