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Vascular Screening

Vascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the US. Vascular disease is usually asymptomatic until a catastrophic event occurs. Screenings for Strokes, Heart Disease, abdominal aneurysms can save lives. Knowing your risk or your loved ones risk for vascular disease and catching disease early will also reduce the cost of medical bills, disabilities or death.

LACVT Health Screenings offer 4 different ultrasound screenings: carotid screenings, abdominal aorta screenings, PVD screenings, and Thyroid mass screenings. Our mission is to provide accurate health screenings to identify the people that have undetected health problems. Our local physicians and staff are committed to community awareness of vascular disease.

Consider these facts:

  • 97% of the adult population cannot recognize the warning signs of a stroke
  • Strokes are the 4rd leading cause of death in the U.S and #1 cause of disability.
  • A majority of all victims of vascular disease have no symptoms
  • Medical costs can range from $40,000 – $60,000 for one stroke victim
  • HOWEVER, Strokes are the Number 1 most Preventable catastrophic disease
  • Only 10% of all aneurysm ruptures will survive
  • Vascular disease can impair circulation to the legs, reducing ability to walk and in some cases, leg amputation.

Early detection can save lives. Call 318-442-0106 for more information.

FACTS

The SVS (Society of Vascular Surgery) recommends individuals 55 years of age or older with cardiovascular risk factors such as a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, or known cardiovascular disease may benefit from preventive screening for vascular disease.

Here in central Louisiana, we are seeing vascular disease in people in their 40’s. Noninvasive screening examinations have proven to be accurate in detecting vascular disease prior to active warning signs and before a major medical incident such as stoke, or sudden death from aneurysm rupture. Appropriate screening examinations in high-risk individuals include:

  • Ultrasound scan of the aorta to identify aortic aneurysms
  • Ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries to assess stroke risk
  • Blood pressure measurements in the legs to identify PAD and risk of heart disease
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Why should I be screened?

Strokes

The carotid artery supplies the brain with oxygen. Any blockage or narrowing of the carotid artery can cause a stroke. You may have no symptoms before the stroke happens. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US. Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability in older people.

A quick carotid screening ultrasound can tell you if you have plaque in the arteries in your neck. Knowing you have disease will help you decide on what choices you need to make to prevent more build up of plaque.

Signs of stroke

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
  • Facts about Carotid Artery Disease and Screening (PDF)
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
  • Known as the silent killer, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)  have no symptoms until they rupture.  If an AAA ruptures, there is only a 10% chance of surviving.  An abdominal ultrasound screening will let you know whether  your aorta is dilated or calcified.

Visit ultimatesaaave.com for more information about AAA and AAA screenings.

Signs of AAA

  • Learn about the AAA screening Medicare Benefit by clicking here.
  • Facts about Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Screened (PDF)
  • Learn about AAA Screening Medicare Benefit (PDF)

Peripheral Arterial disease (PAD)

There may be no symptoms of early PAD. Developing symptoms may include pain or discomfort in your legs when you walk  and the pain goes away when you rest. This could be PAD. A quick ABI screening would reveal if you have any disease in your legs.

Facts about Peripheral Arterial Disease and Screening (PDF)

Venous Reflux Screening

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red or flesh-colored. They are often raised above the skin on legs and look like twisted, bulging chords. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the leg veins no longer function, causing blood to pool in the legs.

Go to rethinkvaricoseveins.com and take a quick assessment to see if you suffer from venous reflux disease.

A personal physician cannot order an ultrasound test unless you actually have symptoms. That may be too late for some people. That’s why our screenings are so important. Our screenings offer a low cost screening of disease with a high reward to preserve your quality of life. Call today 318-442-0106.

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