Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital and Life Line Screening Partner to Promote Healthier Communities

Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital is partnering with Life Line Screening to provide vascular screenings to the southeast community on November 2 and November 4, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, 11800 Astoria Boulevard.

As the nation's largest provider of vascular screenings, Life Line screenings help prevent the first and third leading causes of death in the United States - heart disease and stroke. The painless screenings can help identify risk factors that lead to stroke and other vascular issues before they even occur.

"These screenings are important because it gives people the opportunity to detect potentially life-threatening diseases before they strike," explains Erin Asprec, chief executive officer for Memorial Hermann Southeast. "Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. In fact, cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 12 times as many American females as breast cancer and strokes claim a life every three minutes. These diseases are considered "silent killers" that strike with no previous symptoms or only subtle ones. A simple screening may prevent death or disability."

"Combining Life Line Screening's preventive service with Memorial Hermann's diagnostic and treatment abilities creates a continuity of care that is unsurpassed in this area," continued Asprec. "We have a commitment to the community to prevent catastrophic events like stroke and other vascular diseases, and this partnership is an important part of that commitment."

Provided screenings include:

• 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. Aneurysms can burst, which generally is fatal.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening - PAD is also known as hardening of the arteries. Sufferers have a five- 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.
• Heart Rhythm Screening - A quick and easy test using EKG electrodes placed on the arms and legs to identify the presence or absence of an irregular heartbeat at the time of the screening.
• Carotid Artery Screening - This painless, non-invasive Doppler ultrasound is 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.
• 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.

The stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm package includes screenings #1 - #4 for $139. Add the osteoporosis screening for $10 - all five tests for $149.

Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-690-0289 to make an appointment.