Why Annual Check-ups Matter
Think of your annual check-up the same way you think about your car's yearly service. Even when everything feels fine, a routine inspection can catch small problems before they become expensive — or in the case of your health, dangerous.
Many serious conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers, produce no symptoms in their early stages. By the time you feel something is wrong, the disease may already be well advanced. Regular check-ups are specifically designed to catch these "silent" conditions while they are still easy to treat.
In the Philippines, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer account for the majority of deaths every year. The good news? Most of these conditions are highly preventable or manageable when detected early.
What's Included at Every Age
The tests recommended during an executive check-up change as you age, because the risks you face evolve throughout your life. Here's a general overview by decade:
In Your 20s
Your 20s are about establishing your baseline — the numbers that will be compared in future visits. This decade focuses on lifestyle, preventive vaccines, and early detection of hereditary conditions.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check for anaemia and infection
- Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c (diabetes screen)
- Lipid profile (cholesterol levels)
- Blood pressure measurement
- Hepatitis B antigen and antibody testing
- Sexually transmitted infection screening if applicable
- For women: Pap smear (start at 21 or when sexually active)
- Dental and vision exam
In Your 30s
Stress, career demands, and family responsibilities can quietly erode your health in your 30s. This decade calls for closer attention to metabolic health and mental wellness.
- All of the above, plus:
- Thyroid function tests (TSH, FT4) — thyroid disease is common in Filipino women
- Uric acid levels (gout is prevalent in Filipino men)
- Kidney function (creatinine, eGFR, urinalysis)
- Liver function tests
- 12-lead ECG (electrocardiogram) — cardiac baseline
- For women: Pap smear every 3 years if normal; breast exam
In Your 40s
Your 40s mark a turning point where several cancers and chronic diseases become more common. The screenings expand significantly.
- All previous tests, plus:
- Mammogram for women (annual starting at 40)
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for men — discuss with your doctor
- Colorectal cancer screen (fecal occult blood test or colonoscopy)
- Bone density (DEXA scan) for women at risk
- Treadmill stress test if cardiac risk factors are present
- Eye pressure check (glaucoma screen)
In Your 50s and Beyond
Prevention and management take centre stage. More frequent monitoring is needed, and cancer screenings become more critical.
- Colonoscopy (every 5–10 years if normal)
- Annual mammogram (women)
- Annual PSA (men)
- Bone density scan (DEXA) — especially for post-menopausal women
- Cardiac imaging or stress echo if indicated
- Blood sugar every year (diabetes risk increases with age)
- Shingles vaccine (Zoster) at 50+
- Lung CT scan if heavy smoker (50+ with 20-pack-year history)
What to Expect on the Day
Many patients feel anxious about their annual check-up, especially if they haven't had one in a few years. Understanding what happens can help you feel prepared and calm.
Preparation: Most comprehensive check-ups require an 8–12 hour fast before your blood tests. Avoid strenuous exercise the day before, and drink plenty of water (plain water is fine during fasting). Bring your list of current medications and supplements.
What happens: You'll register, then move through a series of stations — blood draw, urine sample, ECG, chest X-ray, and a physical examination by a physician. Some packages include an ultrasound of the abdomen. The process usually takes 2–4 hours depending on the package.
Same-day results: At Chong Hua Hospital's Executive Health division, most results are available on the same day. A physician will sit with you to discuss findings, answer questions, and recommend next steps.
How to Read Your Results
Your results document can look intimidating — rows of numbers with reference ranges and abbreviations. Here's a quick guide to the most important values:
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): Normal haemoglobin for adult men is 13.5–17.5 g/dL; for women 12–15.5 g/dL. Low values may suggest anaemia.
- Fasting Blood Glucose: Below 100 mg/dL is normal. 100–125 is pre-diabetes. 126 and above on two tests confirms diabetes.
- Total Cholesterol: Below 200 mg/dL is desirable. 200–239 is borderline high. 240 and above is high.
- LDL ("bad") Cholesterol: Under 100 mg/dL is optimal for most people. Under 70 if you have heart disease.
- Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg is ideal. Above 130/80 is elevated. Above 140/90 is hypertension Stage 1.
- Creatinine & eGFR: eGFR above 60 is generally normal kidney function. Below 60 for 3 months suggests chronic kidney disease.
If Something Is Flagged
A flagged result doesn't necessarily mean you are sick — it means your doctor wants to investigate further. Common follow-up steps include:
- Borderline blood sugar: Lifestyle counselling, dietary changes, and a repeat test in 3 months
- High cholesterol: Diet modification, exercise plan, possibly statin medication
- Elevated PSA: Urology referral for further evaluation — elevated PSA has many causes besides cancer
- Abnormal Pap smear: Colposcopy and possible biopsy to examine cervical cells more closely
- Chest X-ray finding: Follow-up CT scan for more detail
At Chong Hua Hospital, our executive health physicians personally discuss all results with you before you leave. You'll receive a clear action plan, not just a printout.
Recommended Screenings by Age
| Screening Test | 20s | 30s | 40s | 50s+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBC & metabolic panel | ✓ Every 2–3 yrs | ✓ Every 2 yrs | ✓ Annual | ✓ Annual |
| Blood pressure | ✓ Every visit | ✓ Every visit | ✓ Every visit | ✓ Every visit |
| Fasting glucose / HbA1c | ✓ Every 3 yrs | ✓ Every 2 yrs | ✓ Annual | ✓ Annual |
| Lipid profile | ✓ Every 5 yrs | ✓ Every 3 yrs | ✓ Every 2 yrs | ✓ Annual |
| Pap smear (women) | ✓ Start at 21 | ✓ Every 3 yrs | ✓ Every 3–5 yrs | ✓ Every 5 yrs |
| Mammogram (women) | — | Baseline if family Hx | ✓ Annual | ✓ Annual |
| Colorectal screen | — | If family history | ✓ Discuss with MD | ✓ Every 5–10 yrs |
| ECG | Baseline | ✓ Every 3–5 yrs | ✓ Every 2 yrs | ✓ Annual |
| Chest X-ray | Baseline | ✓ Every 3–5 yrs | ✓ Every 2 yrs | ✓ Annual |
| PSA (men) | — | — | ✓ Discuss at 40 | ✓ Annual |
| Bone density (women) | — | If high risk | ✓ Perimenopause | ✓ Every 2 yrs |
Book Your Check-up
Chong Hua Hospital's Executive Health Check-up program offers comprehensive, age-appropriate packages at both our Cebu City and Mandaue campuses. Our dedicated executive health team ensures a smooth, private, and efficient experience — most packages are completed within a single morning.