Jupiter Medical Center is partnering with Life Line Screening, the nation’s largest provider of preventive health screenings, to help people understand their risk for stroke, vascular disease and aneurysms. Identifying risk before symptoms occur allows those who are at risk to take action and potentially prevent chronic disease.
Provided screenings include:
• Carotid Artery Screening Ultrasound – painless, non-invasive Doppler ultrasound is used to identify plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, a major risk factor for stroke.
• Atrial Fibrillation Screening (Afib) – An ECG machine is used to identify this irregular heart rhythm. Individuals with atrial fibrillation have a five-fold increased risk of stroke.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening –Ultrasound is used to identify enlargement (aneurysm) of the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the body. Only 25 percent of patients with a ruptured abdominal aorta aneurysm survive until they reach the hospital.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening – PAD sufferers have a four to six 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 identify abnormal bone density of the heel. The heel is used because it is similar in composition to the hip, where disabling fractures often occur.
Screening locations vary throughout Jupiter and the surrounding area — including West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie and Wellington — and take place at various times throughout the year. Walk-ins are accepted, but it is recommended to make an appointment through Life Line Screening at (877) 557-7497.
