This winter wellness checklist comes down to three steps for most adults: check your blood pressure, get your flu shot, and ask your doctor which lab tests you need. All three can usually be covered in a single preventive visit with your primary care provider.

In Brooklyn, cold weather, the holidays and flu season tend to arrive at the same time. Many people only see a doctor when they feel sick. Preventive care works the other way around: you check in while you feel well, so small issues can be found early, before they become bigger ones. At AllHealth Diagnostic and Treatment Center, serving Midwood and Flatbush since 1996, our primary care team can help you get ready for the season in one visit.

Why Late Fall Is the Right Time for Your Winter Wellness Visit

Winter brings colder temperatures that can affect blood pressure, the peak of flu season, and busy holiday weeks that make it easy to postpone appointments. Booking a preventive visit in October or November gives you time to get vaccinated, review your numbers and follow up on any lab results before the new year.

Your primary care provider looks at the whole picture: your age, your personal and family history, the medications you take and your risk factors. From there, they recommend what you actually need instead of a one-size-fits-all checklist.

1. Check Your Blood Pressure Before the Cold Sets In

Does cold weather raise blood pressure?

For many people, yes. In research presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2023, investigators reviewed the records of 60,676 U.S. adults treated for high blood pressure between 2018 and 2023. Systolic blood pressure (the top number) was up to 1.7 mm Hg higher in winter (December to February) than in summer (June to August), and blood pressure control rates were up to 5% lower in the winter months (American Heart Association).

Cold weather can cause blood vessels to narrow, which can push blood pressure up. Sudden weather changes can affect it too, and these effects are more common in adults 65 and older (Mayo Clinic). Holiday routines can add to the effect: saltier meals, less physical activity, more stress and less sleep. If you have high blood pressure, it helps to know the foods to limit with hypertension before the holiday season starts.

How often should you get your blood pressure checked?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends blood pressure screening for all adults 18 and older. It suggests a yearly check for adults 40 and older and for anyone at higher risk, such as people with high-normal readings or who are overweight. Adults 18 to 39 with normal readings and no risk factors may be screened every 3 to 5 years (USPSTF).

High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, so a reading at your visit is the simplest way to know where you stand. If your reading is high, your doctor may ask you to confirm it with measurements at home. If you already take blood pressure medication, a pre-winter visit is a good time to review how it is working.

A reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher needs prompt medical attention. If a reading that high comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, changes in vision or difficulty speaking, call 911. Learn more about when to seek urgent care for high blood pressure. For everyday habits, see our guide to natural ways to lower blood pressure, and learn about our heart care services in Brooklyn.

How can you keep your blood pressure in check this winter?

If you have high blood pressure, or readings close to that range, these steps can help during the cold months:

• Check your blood pressure at home and write down your readings as the seasons change, so you and your doctor can spot a pattern (Mayo Clinic).
• Use a validated upper-arm monitor. Cuffless devices are not yet considered reliable enough for home readings (AMA).
• Tell your doctor if your readings change. You may need a different dose or medication, but don’t change it on your own.
• Keep moving indoors, and watch the salt in holiday meals.

Is cold weather hard on your heart?

It can be. Cold raises blood pressure and narrows the arteries that supply the heart, and heavy effort such as shoveling snow adds strain. The American Heart Association warns that this combination can raise the risk of a heart attack, especially for people who have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, have had a heart attack or stroke, smoke, or are not usually active. Talk to your doctor before strenuous winter tasks, pace yourself and take breaks. If you feel chest pain or pressure, lightheadedness, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, stop right away, and call 911 if the symptoms don’t ease shortly after you stop (American Heart Association).

2. Get Your Flu Shot (It’s Not Too Late)

When should you get your flu shot?

For the 2026–2027 season, the CDC advises that most people get vaccinated in September or October, ideally by the end of October. Vaccination should continue after October and throughout the season while flu viruses are circulating, so if you have not had yours yet, it is still worth getting (CDC). A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

The flu shot matters even more for people at higher risk of serious flu complications, including people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease (CDC). Diabetes is a clear example: even when it is well managed, it raises the risk of serious flu complications, and about 30% of adults hospitalized with flu in recent seasons had diabetes (CDC). If you live with diabetes, see how often a diabetic should see an endocrinologist.

All three components of the 2026–2027 U.S. flu vaccines were updated to better match the viruses expected this season (CDC). Adults 65 and older should preferably receive a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted vaccine; if none of these is available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine should be given. Ask your provider which option is right for you.

While you are there, ask whether other vaccines, such as COVID-19, RSV or pneumococcal vaccines, are recommended for you. According to the CDC, flu shots can be given at the same visit as other vaccines.

Can you get a flu shot during your check-up?

In many cases, yes. Mention it when you book so the team can plan for it. Children can be vaccinated through our pediatric services. If you have Medicare, Part B covers the seasonal flu vaccine, usually once per flu season, and you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment (Medicare.gov).

3. Ask Which Lab Tests Are Right for You

Does an annual physical include blood work?

Not automatically. Blood work is ordered based on your age, family history, current conditions and medications. Some adults need certain tests every year; others need them less often. Your doctor will explain which tests make sense for you and why.

Depending on your situation, your provider may consider tests like these:

How often should you get blood work done?

There is no single schedule for everyone. It depends on your age, your health and the results of past tests. Diabetes screening is a good example: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity, and when results are normal, repeating the test about every 3 years may be reasonable (USPSTF). If you already live with a condition such as diabetes, your doctor will usually follow it with regular tests. Your primary care provider will set the right schedule for you.

AllHealth has an on-site laboratory, so blood can be drawn at the same center where you see your doctor. Blood glucose and A1C tests can reveal prediabetes before you notice any symptoms, and your primary care provider can explain what your results mean and what comes next. If your results call for specialist follow-up, our hematology team and other specialists work in the same building. Not sure whether you need a specialist? Read do you need a referral to see an endocrinologist.

Everyday Habits That Support Your Winter Wellness

Your check-up covers the medical side of winter wellness. Daily habits do the rest:

• Keep moving. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as 30 minutes on 5 days. Indoor workouts, stairs and housework all count (CDC).
• Go easy on salt and portions at holiday meals, especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule, even during the holidays.
• Wash your hands often during flu season.
• Pay attention to your mood. Winter-pattern seasonal affective disorder usually starts in late fall or early winter. If low mood, low energy, oversleeping or pulling away from others come back every winter, talk to a health care provider (NIMH). If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.

What to Expect at Your Pre-Winter Check-Up

A preventive visit with your primary care provider usually includes:

• Vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, weight and BMI
• A review of your medical and family history
• A review of your medications and supplements
• A physical exam based on your age and health
• Screenings and vaccines recommended for your age
• Lab orders, if your doctor recommends them
• A plan for follow-up, referrals or lifestyle changes

What is included varies with your age, sex, health history and insurance plan. For a full breakdown, see our complete guide to a body medical check-up in New York. Wondering how often you should come in? Read How Often Should You See an Internist for Regular Check-ups?.

Is a wellness visit the same as an annual physical?

Not always, and the difference matters if you have Medicare. Medicare Part B covers a yearly Wellness visit once every 12 months. It includes a health risk questionnaire, routine measurements such as blood pressure, a review of your history and medications, a cognitive check and a written prevention plan. It is not a routine physical exam, and other tests are done only if your health and history call for them. You pay nothing for the Wellness visit if your provider accepts assignment, but you may owe coinsurance if additional tests or services are done during the same visit (Medicare.gov).

If you are new to Medicare, you can also get a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit within your first 12 months of Part B. It reviews your history, screenings and vaccines, but it isn’t a comprehensive physical exam either (Medicare.gov).

Many private insurance plans cover a yearly preventive visit, but coverage varies by plan. Our team can verify your benefits before your appointment: call (718) 339-6300.

Primary Care, Lab and Specialists Under One Roof in Brooklyn

At AllHealth Diagnostic and Treatment Center, primary care, an on-site laboratory and a wide range of specialties, including cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology and neurology, work in the same center. If your doctor recommends blood work or a specialist visit, you don’t have to go from one office to another to follow up on your health. Care is available in English, Spanish, Russian and Uzbek.

Don’t wait until you feel sick to see your primary care provider. Schedule your pre-winter check-up at AllHealth Diagnostic and Treatment Center, 1655 East 13th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Learn more about our primary care services in Brooklyn.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Interim clinical considerations for the use of seasonal influenza vaccines in the United States, 2026–2027 season. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/hcp/vax-summary/seasonal-influenza-vaccines.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). 2026–2027 flu season. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/2026-2027.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu complications and people at higher risk. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu and people with diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/diabetes.html
• American Heart Association. (2023, September 7). Cold weather may pose challenges to treating high blood pressure [Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2023 news release]. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/cold-weather-may-pose-challenges-to-treating-high-blood-pressure
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2021). Hypertension in adults: Screening. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/hypertension-in-adults-screening
• Medicare.gov. Yearly “Wellness” visits. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visits
• Medicare.gov. Flu vaccines. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/flu-vaccines
• American Heart Association, Eastern States. (2022). A winter wonderland can turn deadly with heart attacks brought on by snow shoveling. https://easternstates.heart.org/2022/01/28/a-winter-wonderland-can-turn-deadly-with-heart-attacks-brought-on-by-snow-shoveling/
• Berg, S. (2023, December 19). When winter begins, BP readings can rise. How much does it matter? American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/when-winter-begins-bp-readings-can-rise-how-much-does-it-matter
• Mayo Clinic. (2024). Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058250
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Stay active this winter. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/stay-active-this-winter.html
• National Institute of Mental Health. Seasonal affective disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2021). Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: Screening. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-for-prediabetes-and-type-2-diabetes
• Medicare.gov. “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/welcome-to-medicare-preventive-visit