Helping You Feel Whole for a Lifetime
At every age and stage of life, primary care empowers you and your family to feel healthy in body, mind and spirit. When you choose a primary care provider, you can begin what may be a lifelong partnership on the path to better health.
Seeing you annually, your primary care doctor will be familiar with your medical history and will keep your whole-person health in mind, too. They’ll work to help you feel better in more ways than one so you can feel whole. With our network of primary care physicians, it’s easy to find a doctor whose location and hours are right for you and your family.
Why You Should Have a Primary Care Physician
A primary care physician is like the coach of your health care team. Think of them as your go-to health advocate and your partner in leading a healthy lifestyle. Through annual exams and screenings, primary care physicians can help you map your path to optimal health. Plus, having an established relationship with your physician means that they can more accurately diagnose and treat you when illnesses arise, too.
In addition, a primary care physician can connect you with the appropriate specialist, should the need arise, working in conjunction to form a complete picture of your health and making sure your treatment is optimized.
When you’re looking for a primary care doctor, start by:
- Getting recommendations from your family, coworkers or friends
- Select a physician in a specialty that meets your needs (internal medicine physicians treat only adults, while family medicine physicians see patients of all ages)
- Check online patient ratings, but be aware that what someone else dislikes about a doctor, you may love
Once you’ve chosen a physician, prepare for your first visit by gathering immunization records, results of previous health screenings, the name and dosage of any medications you take regularly and your personal and family history of illness.
Primary Care Doctors Help You Stay Well
As your partner in whole-person health, your primary care doctor measures key health indicators like these to help you stay on the right track with your overall wellness.
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Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Nutrition, physical activity, stress and heredity all play a role in determining your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading less than 120 over 80 is considered normal.
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Blood Sugar
Glucose, the sugar stored in your blood, should be less than 100. Glucose levels that are too high or too low can indicate diabetes.
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Cholesterol
The normal range for cholesterol is 200 or less. High total cholesterol can lead to heart attack or stroke. The level of HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol is also important to know.
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Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your BMI is a measure of your height in relation to your weight. Typically, a healthy BMI is less than 25.
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Family History
Many health risk factors are passed on within families. Knowing if a close relative has serious health issues can help motivate you to take charge of your health.
Better Support for Better Health
In the journey to better health, the path is not always clear. We’re here to help you take the next step in your care. Our team will help you find the right medical support, local resources and spiritual care you need to feel more confident and more in control. Let us help guide and support you as you enjoy a better quality of life, compassionate support and a higher level of expert care.