Preventive Care in Murphy, TX

Catching Problems Before They Start: Dr. Hina Zaman’s Approach to Preventive Medicine

The best medical appointment you’ll ever have is the one where I find nothing wrong. That’s preventive care working exactly as it should.

I’m Dr. Hina Zaman, and in my Murphy practice, I’ve watched preventive care save lives. The woman whose routine blood work revealed prediabetes that we reversed before it became diabetes. The man whose annual physical caught early high blood pressure before he had a stroke. The patient whose cholesterol screening led to treatment that prevented a heart attack.

These weren’t lucky catches. This is what happens when you show up for regular preventive care and work with a doctor who knows what to look for.

What Preventive Care Actually Means

Preventive care is medical care you receive when you’re feeling fine. Annual physicals. Health screenings. Vaccinations. The appointments that find problems in their earliest, most treatable stages. Or better yet, prevent problems from developing at all.

Most of my Murphy patients understand they should get preventive care. Where they get stuck is knowing what they actually need and when they need it. That’s what I help you figure out.

Your Annual Physical: More Than Just Going Through the Motions

I don’t do assembly-line physicals. When you come in for your annual checkup, I’m looking at your complete health picture.

What happens during your annual physical:

• Comprehensive health history review: Has anything changed since last year? New symptoms? New family health issues? Changes in your life that affect your health?
• Complete physical examination: Heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, neurological function. I’m looking for subtle changes you might not have noticed.
• Vital signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, BMI
• Age-appropriate screening tests: Blood work, cancer screenings, imaging studies
• Medication review: Are your current medications still necessary and working well?
• Lifestyle assessment: Diet, exercise, sleep, stress, alcohol use, smoking
• Mental health screening: Depression and anxiety affect physical health
• Immunization update: Making sure you’re current on vaccines

But here’s what sets my approach apart: I actually have time to talk with you. Not a rushed 10 minutes. Real conversation about your health concerns and goals.

Health Screenings: What You Need and When

Not everyone needs the same screenings. Your age, gender, family history, and personal health risks determine what makes sense for you. I create a personalized screening schedule based on your individual situation.

Blood Pressure Screening

High blood pressure has no symptoms until it causes a heart attack or stroke. I check blood pressure at every visit. If it’s elevated, we don’t just watch it. We address it.

For my South Asian patients, this is especially important. Heart disease risk is higher in South Asian populations, and it often appears at younger ages. I screen more aggressively in this group.

Cholesterol and Lipid Testing

I recommend cholesterol screening starting at age 20 if you have family history of early heart disease. Otherwise, screening begins at age 35 for men and age 45 for women (earlier if risk factors are present).

Your cholesterol numbers tell me about your heart disease risk. But numbers alone don’t determine treatment. I look at your complete picture: family history, blood pressure, diabetes risk, smoking status, age. Then we decide together if lifestyle changes are enough or if medication makes sense.

Diabetes Screening

I screen for diabetes or prediabetes if you:

• Are overweight or obese
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are South Asian (higher risk even at normal weight)
• Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Are over 45 (everyone should be screened)
• Had gestational diabetes during pregnancy

Catching prediabetes early gives us a window to reverse it. I’ve helped dozens of patients prevent full diabetes through weight loss, dietary changes, and sometimes medication.

Cancer Screenings

Cancer screening saves lives. Period. I coordinate the following screenings based on your age and risk factors:

Bone Density Testing

Osteoporosis screening (bone density test) is recommended for:

• All women at age 65
• Postmenopausal women under 65 with risk factors
• Anyone who has had a fracture from minimal trauma

Catching osteoporosis early means we can strengthen your bones and prevent fractures that can dramatically affect your quality of life.

Thyroid Screening

Thyroid problems are incredibly common, especially in women. I test thyroid function if you have symptoms (fatigue, weight changes, hair loss, mood changes) or strong family history.

Immunizations: Protecting Yourself and Your Community

Vaccines aren’t just for kids. Adults need immunizations too. I make sure you’re current on:

• Flu vaccine: Every year, ideally by October
• COVID-19 vaccine: Staying current with updated boosters
• Tetanus (Tdap): Every 10 years
• Shingles vaccine: Age 50 and older (two doses)
• Pneumonia vaccine: Age 65 and older, or younger with certain conditions
• RSV vaccine: Age 60 and older during RSV season
• HPV vaccine: Through age 26 (sometimes up to age 45)
• Hepatitis B: For adults at increased risk

I’ve treated too many patients hospitalized with shingles who wish they’d gotten the vaccine. Or adults with pneumonia who needed hospitalization. These are preventable illnesses.

Preventive Care for Different Life Stages

Young Adults (20s-30s)

You feel invincible. I get it. But this is the time to establish healthy habits and catch problems early.

Focus areas:

• Baseline health screenings
• Birth control counseling
• Mental health screening (anxiety and depression peak in this age group)
• Lifestyle counseling (nutrition, exercise, stress management)
• STI screening if sexually active

Middle Age (40s-50s)

This is when health risks start climbing. It’s also when you’re juggling career, kids, and aging parents. Your health often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Don’t let that happen.

Focus areas:

• Cancer screenings become critical
• Cardiovascular risk assessment
• Diabetes screening
• Perimenopause/menopause management for women
• Weight management (metabolism changes)

Older Adults (60+)

Preventive care helps you maintain independence and quality of life.

Focus areas:

• Fall risk assessment
• Memory screening
• Bone density testing
• Multiple medication management
• Advance care planning discussions
• Senior-specific vaccines

Insurance Coverage for Preventive Care

Here’s the good news: most preventive care is covered 100% by insurance with no copay. The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance plans to cover recommended preventive services without cost-sharing.

This includes:

• Annual wellness visits
• Recommended cancer screenings
• Blood pressure and cholesterol screening
• Diabetes screening
• Most vaccinations

Medicare also covers an annual wellness visit at no cost. Take advantage of this. It’s literally free prevention.

What Happens If We Find Something

Sometimes preventive screenings reveal abnormal results. That’s exactly why we do them. Finding problems early means more treatment options and better outcomes.

If screening tests show something concerning, I walk you through next steps. Sometimes it’s repeat testing. Sometimes it’s referral to a specialist. Sometimes it’s starting treatment right away.

You’re not in this alone. I coordinate your care, explain what’s happening, and make sure you understand your options.

Common Questions About Preventive Care

How often should I really come in?

Annual physicals are called “annual” for a reason. Once a year. Every year. Even when you feel fine. Especially when you feel fine.

If you have chronic conditions, you’ll see me more often for those specific issues. But everyone needs an annual preventive visit.

I’m healthy and feel fine. Do I really need this?

Yes. High blood pressure has no symptoms. High cholesterol has no symptoms. Early diabetes has no symptoms. Early cancer has no symptoms. You see where I’m going with this.

Feeling fine is wonderful. I want to keep you feeling fine by catching problems before they make you feel terrible.

What if I’m terrified of finding something wrong?

I hear this often. The fear of bad news keeps people away from preventive care. But here’s the truth: ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. It just gives it time to get worse.

Finding something at a preventive visit means we caught it early when treatment is most effective. That’s a gift, not a curse.

Can’t I just get tested when I notice symptoms?

By the time you have symptoms, the problem is already established. The whole point of preventive care is catching issues before symptoms develop.

Schedule Your Preventive Care Visit

When was your last physical? If you have to think about it, it’s been too long.

I have appointments available for annual physicals, typically within 1-2 weeks. Most preventive visits are fully covered by insurance with no out-of-pocket cost.

Call our Murphy office at (469) 782-0165 or Book Online to schedule your preventive care appointment. An hour of your time once a year could add years to your life.

That’s a good investment.

Dr. Hina Zaman, MD
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician
Family Care USA, PLLC
318 W FM 544, Suite A2
Murphy, TX 75094
Serving Murphy, Plano, Wylie, Sachse, Frisco, and Richardson