Screenings for Life

You may be in great shape. You may feel as fit as a fiddle--- but are you at risk for stroke or aneurysm?

An Early Warning Ultrasound ™ of your neck and abdomen could save your life.

As experts in the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular system disorders we believe accurate screening results are critical in order for patients to receive the potentially lifesaving benefits of early detection.

At Midwest Heart Specialists we use the most advanced sound wave technology to painlessly scan blood vessels and produce images of such high resolution that serious vascular irregularities can be seen in precise detail, even though you may be symptom free.

An Early Warning Ultrasound ™ of your neck’s carotid arteries can reveal carotid artery disease (a build-up of fatty plaque) before the condition can trigger a stroke.

An Early Warning Ultrasound ™ of your abdomen can detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm (an abnormal weakness in the wall of your abdominal aorta) before it can rupture.

Based on the most recent research you should consider being screened if you are:

• Male age 60 or over
• Female age 60 or over with history of vascular problems
• 50 years or older with a family history of cardiovascular disease
• Hypertensive (have high blood pressure)
• Diabetic
• A smoker or use tobacco products

To learn more about Screenings for Life at Midwest Heart Specialists call toll free 877.mhs.scan (877.647.7226)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 

Blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body are called arteries.  The aorta is the largest artery in the body.  An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a weakening in the wall of the aorta in your abdomen.  The weakened wall stretches outward, expanding like a balloon.  As it expands the wall becomes thinner and thinner until, like a balloon, it can burst or rupture.  The rupture of an AAA can be a life-threatening event.  Aneurysm rupture affects about 15,000 people per year making it the 13^th leading cause of death in the United States. Early detection and repair of AAA can prevent rupture.

Certain things increase your risk of having AAA.  There are many things known to contribute to the weakening of the aortic wall.

• Tendency to run in families
• More likely to develop as your get older
• Male gender
• Elevated cholesterol which can form deposits in the wall of the aorta
• Cigarette smoking, or history of smoking
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation or infection of the wall of the aorta (the causes of this are not known)

An aneurysm may be first noticed during a routine physical examination or test for another problem.  A complete examination and some tests are done to confirm AAA.

• History and physical examination.  Your physician may ask you if any of your relatives have had this problem since AAA can run in families.  AAA may be felt as a pulsating mass at about the level of the belly button.
• Ultrasound.  An ultrasound test uses sound waves to make images of your aorta and nearby blood vessels.
• CT Scan (computerized tomography).  CT scan uses special x-ray and contrast dye to form pictures of your aorta and blood vessels.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging or MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram)).   MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnet to show the blood vessels.

[back to top]

Carotid Artery Disease 

Carotid artery disease is a narrowing of one or both of the two main vessels in the neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain.  The usual cause is a build-up of plaque (deposits of cholesterol, fat and other substances) in the inner lining of the arteries’ walls. If blood flow becomes sufficiently obstructed or if a blood clot forms and plugs the vessel entirely, stroke can occur.

Although there may be no symptoms, some patients may have episodes of blurred vision, extremity weakness, slurred speech, dizziness or difficulty swallowing.  Effective drug and surgical treatments are available.

[back to top]