Vascular Health Screening
10/02/10 10:26
Central Family Practice is now offering noninvasive ultrasound Vascular Health Screening to look for increased risk of stroke or vascular incidents. The screening will determine if further diagnostic testing from a cardiovascular specialist is needed.
Strokes are the third leading cause of death, but there’s good news—up to 80% of strokes are preventable!
What is a stroke?
Who should be screened?
Age is only one factor, but if you’re 55 or older, your risk for stroke doubles with every additional decade.
There are two types of risk factors for stroke and vascular incidents; controllable risk factors and uncontrollable risk factors. Uncontrollable risk factors are things like age, gender, race, and family history of stroke or vascular disease. Males are more likely to have a stroke as are African-American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicities. Controllable risk factors are listed in the chart below.
In general, this screening is for those over the age of 50 who exhibit risk factors. Occasionally someone younger might also want to be screened based on a significant family history or other specific medical issues. Discuss this with your practitioner to determine if this screening might be beneficial for you.
You can also assess your personal risk factor by utilizing the National Stroke Association’s Stroke Risk Scorecard.
Our screening is done by Krista London, a Registered Sonographer and Registered Vascular Technician with over 16 years of experience. She worked as the Principle Vascular Technician with some of the most respected and innovative vascular surgeons worldwide at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California.
She will be screening the following:
Carotid arteries: These are the major arteries located in the neck that take blood from the heart to the brain. A significant plaque buildup, or stenosis, can decrease the amount of blood the brain receives and is the leading cause of stroke. An ultrasound will screen for plaque buildup and blood flow through these vessels.
Abdominal Aorta: This is the largest artery in the body. The presence of an abdominal aneurysm, (an enlargement of the lining of this vessel) is usually symptomless. It can lead to a ruptured aorta and life threatening rapid blood loss. The aorta should measure less than 3 centimeters and is considered aneurismal if it measures greater than 3 centimeters. At 5 centimeters, a tear can happen. An ultrasound will measure the aorta at its largest diameter.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Commonly called “hardening of the arteries” which most often involves plaque buildup in the arteries of the legs. Symptoms can be as mild as calf and/or thigh cramping and as severe as tissue loss in advanced stages. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is used to obtain very precise blood pressure measurements of the arms and legs to determine blood flow through these smaller vessels. A buildup of plaque indicates an increased risk of heart disease.
You are provided the results immediately. If results are abnormal, plan to make an appointment with your practitioner for a follow-up visit.
The total cost of screening for all three conditions mentioned above is $150.00. Although stroke and vascular risk screening has much medical and preventive health merit, it is not yet covered by insurance or by Medicare.
Screenings are offered on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Call to make an appointment at 512.371.9260.
For more information, visit www.stroke.org. Thanks to the National Stroke Association for all of the good information.
Strokes are the third leading cause of death, but there’s good news—up to 80% of strokes are preventable!
What is a stroke?
Who should be screened?
Age is only one factor, but if you’re 55 or older, your risk for stroke doubles with every additional decade.
There are two types of risk factors for stroke and vascular incidents; controllable risk factors and uncontrollable risk factors. Uncontrollable risk factors are things like age, gender, race, and family history of stroke or vascular disease. Males are more likely to have a stroke as are African-American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicities. Controllable risk factors are listed in the chart below.
In general, this screening is for those over the age of 50 who exhibit risk factors. Occasionally someone younger might also want to be screened based on a significant family history or other specific medical issues. Discuss this with your practitioner to determine if this screening might be beneficial for you.
| Controllable Medical Risk | Controllable Lifestyle Risk |
| High blood pressure | Smoking |
| Diabetes | Alcohol use |
| High cholesterol | Overweight |
You can also assess your personal risk factor by utilizing the National Stroke Association’s Stroke Risk Scorecard.
Our screening is done by Krista London, a Registered Sonographer and Registered Vascular Technician with over 16 years of experience. She worked as the Principle Vascular Technician with some of the most respected and innovative vascular surgeons worldwide at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California.
She will be screening the following:
Carotid arteries: These are the major arteries located in the neck that take blood from the heart to the brain. A significant plaque buildup, or stenosis, can decrease the amount of blood the brain receives and is the leading cause of stroke. An ultrasound will screen for plaque buildup and blood flow through these vessels.
Abdominal Aorta: This is the largest artery in the body. The presence of an abdominal aneurysm, (an enlargement of the lining of this vessel) is usually symptomless. It can lead to a ruptured aorta and life threatening rapid blood loss. The aorta should measure less than 3 centimeters and is considered aneurismal if it measures greater than 3 centimeters. At 5 centimeters, a tear can happen. An ultrasound will measure the aorta at its largest diameter.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Commonly called “hardening of the arteries” which most often involves plaque buildup in the arteries of the legs. Symptoms can be as mild as calf and/or thigh cramping and as severe as tissue loss in advanced stages. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is used to obtain very precise blood pressure measurements of the arms and legs to determine blood flow through these smaller vessels. A buildup of plaque indicates an increased risk of heart disease.
You are provided the results immediately. If results are abnormal, plan to make an appointment with your practitioner for a follow-up visit.
The total cost of screening for all three conditions mentioned above is $150.00. Although stroke and vascular risk screening has much medical and preventive health merit, it is not yet covered by insurance or by Medicare.
Screenings are offered on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Call to make an appointment at 512.371.9260.
For more information, visit www.stroke.org. Thanks to the National Stroke Association for all of the good information.