25 Great Questions to Ask Your Doctor Every Year

9. Is my blood pressure where it should be?

Blood pressure should be checked annually, says the CDC. If your readings are consistently high, your provider might want you to measure it regularly.

“Normal” is under 120 systolic/80 diastolic. If your levels are consistently 130-139/80-89 or higher, you might discuss treatment options. When the American College of Cardiology highlighted August 2025 updates to guidelines for blood pressure, it noted that for every 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure, the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, all major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality decreased, sometimes significantly.

Due to “white coat syndrome,” blood pressure readings can be higher at the doctor’s office, so ask to have it taken again a few minutes later, and consider monitoring it at home, too. For home testing, use an upper-arm cuff for the most accurate results. Choose a validated blood pressure cuff and make sure it fits correctly. (Follow this link to learn more about the American Medical Association’s U.S. Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing.)

Also note that while wearable devices are convenient, they might not provide accurate results.

10. How are my cholesterol, blood sugar and other key lab results?

“Cholesterol is the most important thing in my practice,” says Sacks. “I tell patients, whether we die at 50 or 100, we die from the same three things: heart attack, stroke or dementia-related diseases. They’re all related to cholesterol. Management of cholesterol can make you get from 50 to 100.”

Make sure you understand what your numbers mean, says Miura. When it comes to cholesterol, targets are often individualized, depending on your cardiovascular risk and health history.

But in general, desirable readings are under 200 mg/dL for total cholesterol, under 150 mg/dL for triglycerides and under 100 mg/dL for LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (lower if you have diabetes or cardiovascular risk factors). With HDL (“good”) cholesterol, higher levels (at or above 60/mg/dL) are desirable. Depending on your results, your provider might recommend starting a statin to lower your LDL cholesterol.

11. Do I still need every medication I’m taking?

More than 4 out of every 10 adults 65 years or older reported using five or more prescription medications in the past 30 days between 2017 and 2020, according to a study published in JAMA in 2026. This practice, called polypharmacy, is worth talking to your health provider about.

“This question can open a conversation about all the medications we’re taking,” says Miura. Your provider (and pharmacists) might not be aware of everything because you received a prescription from an urgent care clinic or you get medications from different pharmacies. Bring a complete list, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins and supplements, and review it with your provider, Nelson suggests.

They may tell you that some aren’t necessary. “If you’ve lost a considerable amount of weight, you may no longer need the blood pressure and diabetes drugs you’ve been taking,” says Nelson. Maybe when you were in your 40s you relied on a sleep aid, but now you’re 65, and that drug could increase your risk of falls, says Sacks. Plus, as we age, our kidney function slows down. The right dose at age 40 might be too high at 70, Sacks explains. Make sure to talk with your provider before stopping a drug or adjusting a dose.

12. Could any of my medications be causing side effects I don’t recognize?

“All medications have some form of side effects,” says Nelson, and some can be serious. Certain medications (like some antidepressants) have sedating effects that can increase the risks of falls, confusion or delirium. One study, published in January 2026 in JAMA, found that sedating medications were often prescribed to older adults despite those risks, with the caveat that the trade-off was worth the risk. Be especially watchful of new side effects when you stop a medication, start a new one or change the dosage.

13. Are any of my medications interacting with one another?

A study published in 2024 in Innovation in Aging found that about 1 in 5 older adults was potentially at risk of significant interactions with other drugs. “Every medication takes its own road in your body,” says Sacks. “We want to know which ones are on the same road at the same time. Is one going to block another one from where it needs to go?” Keep in mind that interactions also apply to OTC drugs, supplements and vitamins, says Carney. Talk to your doctor and check the information packets that come with your prescription for details on drug interactions.

14. Should I be taking any vitamins or supplements — or stop taking any?

Every year, Americans spend about $60 billion on supplements, according to an April 2024 message from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While supplements “might seem harmless,” they might lead to dangerous interactions, says Miura. But “just because your auntie is taking something doesn’t mean it’s for you,” adds Nelson.

Unless you have a deficiency or an absorption disorder or are on a restricted diet, you might not need them. For example, when it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says there isn’t enough evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of nutrient supplements.

Plus, since supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as food instead of drugs, they are not tested for safety or efficacy before being sold.

These substances can interact with other medications and might even be dangerous on their own. A study published in 2024 in JAMA Network Open revealed that nearly 5 percent of the 9,685 adults researchers studied were taking supplements with ingredients that could be toxic to the liver.

15. Is there a less expensive alternative to any of my prescriptions?

“Even if I prescribe the best medication, if it’s expensive, the patient will not be able to pick it up because they can’t afford it,” says Miura. “It won’t work because they won’t take it.”

Since prices vary significantly among insurance plans and pharmacies, your provider won’t know what you’re paying unless you tell them, says Carney.

A research article comparing prices of diabetes medications, published in 2023 in PLOS ONE, found an enormous range of prices for brand-name therapies, and a study published in 2024 in the peer-reviewed journal Urology reported that prices for erectile dysfunction medications varied by as much as 1,145 percent.

Ask your provider about ways to save money, like comparison-shopping apps, discount coupons, generics and lower-cost formulations, mail-order options and 90-day supplies.

16. What should I be doing to maintain my brain health?

“This question gives me an opportunity to tell them the importance of sleep and staying socially engaged,” says Sacks. In 2022, The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association shared recommendations, based on data from the nonprofit UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, for reducing the risk of cognitive decline, based on a review of existing evidence. Its 11 suggestions included healthy habits such as regular exercise, a nutritious diet and social engagement.

17. How can I preserve my strength, balance and mobility?

The good news about aging: Our wisdom tends to grow. The not-so-good news: Our muscle power and performance decline, especially after age 65 in women and 70 in men, says the NIH. So it’s no surprise that more than 14 million Americans 65 or older fall every year, according to the CDC.

“I am always going to ask if you had any falls in the last year, and how many,” says Sacks. “Asking this leads to important things. Like, maybe you’re doing cardio to protect your heart but no musculoskeletal exercise, which is equally important to maintain functionality.”

Discuss a basic exercise plan with your health care provider that includes balance and strength training, both of which can reduce the risk of falls.

18. Should I be concerned about my bone health?

“This is important not only for physical health but also socially,” says Miura. “Fractures of big bones like hip bones can change your lifestyle dramatically,” since many people would rather stay home than go out if they need help.

Bone loss is common as we age: More than 27 percent of women age 65 or older have osteoporosis, according to the CDC. If you have risk factors such as a family history of fractures, low body weight or rheumatoid arthritis, your provider might recommend a bone scan, says Carney.

19. Am I exercising enough or too little?

Some patients may think that if they walk or stand all day at work, they’re getting enough exercise, says Miura. But they should probably add strength training and balance exercises, such as those common in yoga and tai chi. A mix of movement types can help reduce falls, according to a 2026 review article on 45 randomized controlled trials involving older adults, published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies. The general weekly recommended minimum is 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise), two days of strength training and balance exercises.

20. How can I get quality sleep as I get older?

Sleep difficulties and the use of sleep medication increase with age, according to a 2025 study of nearly 31,500 adults (including about 10,500 who were 60-plus) published in Cureus.

“If you’re not sleeping properly, it can throw off your hormones and eating patterns,” says Nelson. “Hormonal imbalance coupled with lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, poor cardiac health and issues with mental acuity and overall well-being.”

Let your provider know if you’re experiencing symptoms like pauses in your breathing or loud snoring, which could be signs of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.

21. Are any symptoms I’m experiencing part of normal aging — or something else?

Impaired hearing and vision and interrupted sleep become more common as we get older. The same is true for skin that’s thinner and takes longer to heal after injuries.

But if you experience new symptoms that begin or worsen suddenly, speak up. “Patients know their body and observe symptoms every day,” says Miura. “We cannot be there every day with them. Patients help us by providing that info.”

22. How are my hearing and vision affecting my overall health?

“They play a dramatic role in our health,” says Sacks. “Social withdrawal occurs from poor hearing.… There can be a major decline. It’s important to screen for them, but it’s not built into our billing for the annual exam.” Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine hearing and vision exams, but many Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental vision and hearing coverage. If you’re concerned about your sight or hearing, tell your provider, who can refer you to a specialist. Correcting vision problems and, if needed, getting hearing aids have both been shown to reduce dementia risk.

23. What should I tell you if my mental health changes?

“Share what you’re experiencing,” says Nelson. Also let your provider know if your loved ones have noticed changes in you, such as seeming more tired, she adds. Mention symptoms that have lasted two weeks or longer, and keep in mind that depression in older adults can manifest in physical symptoms such as fatigue. Treatment, if recommended, can be affordable: Medicare covers depression screening and some mental health services, and many insurance plans cover these as well for adults ages 50 to 65. 

24. Are there warning signs that should prompt me to call you right away?

“This should be how we end every visit,” says Sacks. “This is your plan B.” Your provider might offer same-day telehealth visits or a triage nurse line for urgent questions about medications or to discuss new symptoms, like blood in your urine. But if you experience serious symptoms such as chest pressure, difficulty breathing or signs of a stroke like facial drooping or slurred speech, call 911. “If you feel you need to go to urgent care, don’t wait,” says Nelson. “Even if you don’t have insurance, the ER cannot turn you away.”

25. What health goal should we track before my next visit?

“It should be no more than three things,” says Carney. “This helps patients think about things not just in the moment but [to also] get into the mindset of making personal investments in their health.” Maybe it’s exercising more or cutting back on sweets. Choose small, achievable goals, recommends Miura. “It’s like having homework,” she says. “The patient feels they have … an actionable plan they can achieve.”