Screening Exams

We are pleased to offer screening ultrasounds to "at risk" patients that want to check into their health.  Screening examinations are tests performed to find disease before symptoms begin. The goal of screening is to detect disease at its earliest and most treatable stage. These exams do not require physician referral and are used to detect illness and/or disease in its early stages. We look at key factors that might increase an individuals risk for diseases, and screen for the disease processes that are most likely to affect the patient. 

Screening exams include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening 
• Carotid artery disease screening 
• Vascular insufficiency and reflux
• Pregnancy viability screening 

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a condition in which the lining of the aorta has become weakened, causing the vessel to enlarge within the abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms pose a threat because they are usually slow growing without symptoms until a medical emergency occurs. The abdominal aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, and the main artery that originates in the heart. As the lining weakens from age the vessel wall thins and expands.  

Screening Recommendations 

You're considered at risk if you meet one of these criteria:

• Family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms
• You’re a man 
• Age 65 to 75 
• Smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your lifetime
• You have atherosclerosis 

Normally, vein valves keep blood moving back toward the heart. However, damage to these valves can cause valves to not work properly. This allows blood to flow back down to the feet. This improper function of the vein valves cause swelling and skin changes. 

Screening Recommendations 

• Varicose veins
• Swelling
• Skin color changes on the affected leg
• If the condition progresses, leg ulcers can form.