The University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center offers an easy way for people to get screened for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Nearly 10 million Americans are at risk for this serious vascular disease, which has few warning signs but is associated with stroke, heart attack or sudden death.
In the past, screening usually involved physician referral. Now people can directly schedule the three simple, painless tests in one visit--carotid artery ultrasound, abdominal aortic ultrasound and ankle brachial index.
Candidates for screening include adults age 50 and older with any of these risk factors:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of stroke, heart or vascular disease
The fee of $95 for all three screenings is not covered by insurance, but can be reimbursed through flexible spending accounts.
"Peripheral artery disease is exceedingly common and often goes undiagnosed," said W. John Sharp, MD, director of vascular surgery at UI Hospitals and Clinics.
"But, the good news is PAD can be easily and painlessly diagnosed, and there are a number of ways to treat the condition. Changing your diet and getting more exercise may be sufficient to manage the disease. Consultation with your vascular surgeon is important in developing strategies to improve your outlook and quality of life."
To learn more, call 319-356-2777. |
