Renown offering PVD/PAD screenings as part of American Heart Month

Renown Regional Medical Center announced today that they will offer Life Line Screening as part of February's "American Heart Month."

Life Line Screening is designed to help people identify their risk of stroke, vascular disease and osteoporosis before they suffer catastrophic illness.

The screenings will be held Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Mack Auditorium at Renown. The cost is $129.

To pre-register, go to www.lifelinescreening.com, or call 1-800-690-4100 to make an appointment. Call 982-4100 for directions.

The screening will provide:

Carotid Artery Screening – painless, non-invasive Doppler ultrasound used to visualize the carotid arteries, the arteries that bring blood to the brain. The majority of strokes are caused by plaque build up in these arteries.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening – Ultrasound is used to visualize the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the body, to measure the diameter of the aorta. This measurement can indicate if there is a weakening in the aortic wall which can cause a ballooning effect known as an aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysms can burst. When they do, it is usually fatal.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening – PAD is also known as “hardening of the arteries.” Individuals with PAD have a 4 to 6 fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Risk is evaluated through a measurement called the “Ankle-Brachial Index,” which is obtained by reading the systolic pressure in the ankle and arm.

Osteoporosis Screening – Ultrasound is used to estimate the bone density of the heel. This can indicate if there is a reduction in bone density, which may indicate the presence of osteoporosis. The heel is used because it is similar in composition to the hip, where disabling fractures often occur.

Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia) that affects the atria - the upper chambers of the heart - and is the most common form of sustained arrhythmia. 2.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and for those over age 40, there is a one in four chance of developing the condition.