Prevention Plus stroke and vascular screening promises results and films within 2 weeks. This allows time for our physicians to review all tests. If our registered sonographers find a harmful, potentially life-threatening condition, you will be notified at the time of testing and be given films to take to your physician.
Every day we identify individuals who feel strong and healthy but have moderate or severe risk of vascular disease, abdominal organ and/or heart abnormalities. Early detection of asymptomatic disease allows for treatment that can save, prolong, or improve quality of an individual's life.
An ultrasound of the carotid arteries allows physicians to visualize the amount of plaque lining the artery wall.
Our Doppler Ultrasound Exam also shows the speed of the blood flow through the artery leading to the brain. This is especially important when defining exactly how narrow, or occluded the artery may be due to the plaque.
The most common type of stroke happens to be ischemic stroke, lack of oxygen/blood to the brain, due to blocked carotid arteries.
The ultrasound of the carotid arteries is the ideal test in the attempt to prevent ischemic stroke.
Most of our screening participants screen yearly, others every other year.
Screening every year helps individuals monitor any changes and gives peace of mind.
Some participants that have high cholesterol or high blood pressure screen often because those health issues directly effect the artery walls.
If you choose to do the package of all six ultrasound screenings, please allow one hour. Individual tests take 6-12 minutes each.
This depends on the results of your previous screening and any change in your personal risk factors such as: blood pressure, cholesterol, any development of pain or discomfort.
Many of our participants decide to be screened yearly to support their regular physicals.
Remember, ultrasound tests are not part of a routine physical and your physician can not typically order them unless you are having symptoms.
Our adherence to stringent protocol, highly trained nationally registered sonographers, state-of-the-art equipment and board certified interpreting radiologists make the screenings exceedingly accurate. Physician-written protocols ensure consistency and accuracy.
Most insurances do not cover preventive screenings; however, policies vary and some companies do cover "preventive testing." We will provide you with a detailed receipt that you can send to your insurance along with a copy of your results.
Yes. please wear loose fitting two-piece outfit. For all the ultrasound tests it is not necessary to fast due to our state-of-the-art GE ultrasound machines.
Please fast for 12 hours if you are having your cholesterol tested. (Black tea, black coffee, water and medications are acceptable).
No one is completely immune. Some stroke risk factors are hereditary, while others result from a person's lifestyle.
Age, heredity, prior stroke, TIA, or heart attack are factors that can't be changed. Smoking, obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and high cholesterol are all modifiable risk factors.