Wellness visit may have saved his life

For years, Joel Neighbors felt fine. Nearly a decade ago, a doctor discovered significant calcium buildup in his arteries—a warning sign for heart disease. But after that physician moved away, Joel never followed up.

That changed when he became a patient of Neetu Reddy, MD, with Piedmont Physicians of Jasper. During routine visits, Dr. Reddy repeatedly encouraged Joel to revisit the elevated calcium score in his medical record and see a cardiologist.

When he finally did, testing revealed several arteries were approximately 90% blocked, placing him at high risk for a heart attack. Joel ultimately underwent multiple bypass surgeries and has made a full recovery.

He credits Dr. Reddy’s persistence and attention to detail with uncovering a potentially life-threatening condition before it became an emergency.

 “She went back through years of my medical history and took the time to connect the dots. That kind of care made all the difference,” Joel said.

Joel’s story is a reminder that serious conditions often develop without symptoms, and that regular wellness visits and a trusted primary care provider can help catch problems early, when treatment can make all the difference.

What Is a wellness visit?

A wellness visit is a preventive appointment with your primary care provider focused on maintaining your health and identifying potential concerns before they become serious.

These visits include a review of your health history, checking key numbers such as blood pressure and glucose, vaccinations and discussions about lifestyle factors that affect your well-being.

The power of early detection

Many common conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease can develop without symptoms.

Regular wellness visits help detect problems early, when they are often easier to treat and manage. Preventive care helps keep screenings and vaccinations up to date, identifies personal risk factors, supports healthy lifestyle changes, and helps manage chronic conditions before complications occur.

In Joel’s case, if Dr. Reddy had not continued to emphasize the importance of follow-up care, Joel’s severe coronary artery disease may have gone undetected until it caused a heart attack or other medical emergency.

"I didn't have any symptoms," Joel said. "That's why it's so important to listen to your doctor and stay on top of your health."

The cost of waiting

Skipping routine wellness visits can have consequences that extend far beyond a missed appointment. Without regular preventive care, health issues may go undetected until they become more serious, requiring more complex treatments and increasing the risk of complications.

What may start as a manageable health concern can become much more difficult to treat over time. Regular wellness visits help identify potential problems early, when intervention is often simpler, more effective, and less costly, giving you the best opportunity to protect your long-term health.

Take the next step

A wellness visit provides more than a routine checkup. It offers clarity about your health today, a plan for tomorrow and peace of mind for the future.

To find a primary care provider near you, visit piedmont.org/primarycare.