Why Prevention is Important

Prevention does not only begin when symptoms arise. It helps to identify personal risks, avoid illnesses as far as possible, and categorise changes medically in a timely manner. This allows appropriate measures to begin earlier.

Prevention Reduces Risks

Prevention is intended to prevent illnesses or reduce their likelihood. Depending on the situation, physical activity, a balanced diet, stopping smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, vaccinations, good sleep, and the treatment of risk factors such as high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar can help.

Early Detection: Identifying Changes in Time

Early detection screens for specific illnesses or their preliminary stages in people without current symptoms. It is useful when the benefit is well-documented, conspicuous findings can be reliably clarified, and appropriate treatment is possible.

Why Early Detection Can Support Treatment

For some conditions, an early diagnosis can improve treatment chances, avoid complications, or enable less stressful treatment. This is not a guarantee: tests can yield false-positive or false-negative results and necessitate further examinations.

What is Important in a Preventive Care Decision

Meaningful preventive care answers three questions: Which illness or risk is to be detected? How well is the examination scientifically documented? And how will a conspicuous finding be further clarified? Preventive care is particularly helpful when a clear, medically sensible decision can follow from the result.

Which Preventive Care Suits Me?

Which examination is sensible depends, among other things, on age, family risk, pre-existing conditions, medication, and life situation. Recommendations can also differ according to gender, pregnancy, occupational exposure, or previous findings.

Distinguishing Between Prevention and Symptoms

Preventive care is aimed at people without acute symptoms. New, persistent, or severe symptoms should be medically clarified promptly, independent of a preventive care appointment. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 144; for health advice in Austria, dial 1450.

Putting "Vorsorge Plus" (Extended Preventive Care) into Context

Selected private supplementary diagnostics can provide additional information for a specific medical inquiry. It is not part of the Austrian preventive health examination [Vorsorgeuntersuchung] and does not replace a medical examination, consultation, or individual diagnostics. Results should always be put into context together with symptoms and medical history.