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 his elevated calcium score 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 powerful reminder that serious health conditions can develop without symptoms. Regular wellness visits and a trusted primary care provider can help catch problems early, when treatment is often most effective.

What Is a wellness visit?

A wellness visit is a preventive appointment with your primary care provider focused on maintaining health and identifying concerns early.

These visits include reviewing health history, checking blood pressure and glucose, updating vaccinations, and discussing lifestyle factors affecting 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 keeps screenings and vaccinations current, identifies risk factors, supports healthy lifestyle changes, and manages chronic conditions.

Joel's severe coronary artery disease may have gone undetected without Dr. Reddy's continued emphasis on follow-up care.

"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 serious, increasing treatment complexity and complication risk.

What may start as a manageable health concern can become much more difficult to treat over time. Regular wellness visits help identify problems early, when intervention is often simpler, more effective, less costly, and protective.

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.