The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. The heart functions as a muscular pump that keeps blood flowing through the vessels. The vessels deliver the blood to all of the body’s organs and tissues. Ensuring that our cardiovascular system is healthy and functioning properly is vitally important to our long-term health, and regular screening for cardiovascular disease is the primary way of achieving that goal.

Carotid Artery Disease Screening

The left and right carotid arteries are the large blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. Fatty deposits known as plaque can build up in these arteries (a condition known as atherosclerosis) causing them to narrow or even completely occlude. The danger lies in the possibility of an occlusion stopping the flow of blood to the brain, or of a piece of plaque breaking off and traveling to the brain. Either of these events leads to a stroke.

The carotid artery disease screening consists of a simple, non-invasive, and painless ultrasound that will determine whether or not there is a build-up of plaque in your carotid arteries.

Abdominal Aortic Disease Screening

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins at the heart, runs through the length of the body, and ends in the lower abdomen where it branches off into each leg. The portion extending from approximately the “v” in the center of the rib cage, to the lower abdomen is known as the abdominal aorta.

This screening will be used to assess for the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is a weakened and ballooning area of the abdominal aorta. Left undiagnosed and untreated, an abdominal aortic aneurysm usually enlarges and sometimes bursts which is almost always fatal.

The abdominal aortic disease screening consists of a simple, non-invasive, and painless ultrasound that will determine whether or not an aneurysm is present. If an abdominal aortic aneurysm is detected, an accurate measurement will be obtained. This will determine the type of medical intervention required.

Atrial Fibrillation Screening

Atrial fibrillation, or A-Fib, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat (cardiac dysrhythmia). When left undiagnosed and untreated, the likelihood of experiencing life threatening complications can be extremely high. Atrial fibrillation is marked by rapid, irregular electrical activity in the two upper chambers of the heart (atria), resulting in ineffective ejection of blood into the two lower chambers (ventricles). Rather than forcefully and efficiently contracting, the atria quiver (fibrillate). Because the atria are not contracting properly, the blood that is not ejected can pool. This blood will begin to clot, and this clotted blood can then be forced through the bloodstream and lodge in the brain causing a stroke, or in other areas of the body where additional problems can occur.

Your atrial fibrillation screening consists of a simple, non-invasive, and painless test known as an EKG. You will be asked to simply lie on your back, EKG electrodes with adhesive pads will be attached to your wrists and ankles, and a reading will be taken of the electrical activity of your heart. This test can immediately tell if you are experiencing atrial fibrillation.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is caused by a narrowing of the peripheral arteries (arteries away from the heart) serving the legs, abdomen, arms, and head, but most commonly affects the arteries in the legs. It is primarily caused by the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis).

If left undetected/untreated it can easily progress to a condition known as “critical limb ischemia” (CLI). This is the most severe form of PAD, and often leads to the most severe symptoms, including non-healing wounds and gangrene leading to amputation and even death. Because PAD can go from mild to no symptoms in the early stages to non-healing wounds, and tissue death (gangrene) leading to amputation in the later stages, early detection through screening is vitally important.

The peripheral artery disease screening is easy, non-invasive, and painless. During this test, blood pressure cuffs are placed on the arms and legs. The cuffs are inflated, while a hand-held device (called a Doppler) is used to listen to the blood flow. This test will give us a value known as an ankle-brachial index (ABI). This ABI value is used to determine the amount of blood flow to the legs and feet, which is decreased in a person with PAD.

High cholesterol/Lipid Panel

High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia, is a condition in which the blood contains elevated levels of lipids (fats). These fats can build-up in the arteries causing a condition known as atherosclerosis which greatly increases risk for heart attack and stroke. Because there are no symptoms associated with high cholesterol, having a screening done is vitally important. Your cholesterol/lipid panel will consist of a simple fingerstick blood test. If positive, your physician will likely recommend lifestyle changes and/or new medications.

C-Reactive Protein Test

When elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are detected in the blood, it strongly suggests the presence of fatty deposits (plaque) in the walls of the arteries. Known as atherosclerosis, this condition greatly increases risk of heart attack and stroke. Your C-reactive protein screening will consist of a simple fingerstick blood test. If positive, your physician will likely recommend lifestyle changes, and/or new medications.

Why do we stress the importance of cardiovascular screenings?

According to the Center for Disease Control:

  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
  • One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
  • About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year (that’s 1 in every 4 deaths).

The cardiovascular disease usually starts at a young age, becomes progressively worse over time, and there are often no symptoms. These screenings are vitally important in determining the presence of cardiovascular disease. Once detected, interventions can be initiated that can slow, and in some cases even reverse cardiovascular disease. Do not become one of these statistics.

Get your screenings done as soon as possible.