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Abdominal aneurysm screenings
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Although there is no generally accepted recommendation about who in the general population should be screened, aneurysms are usually found in people 65 and older. Men are more likely to have one than women by a ratio of four to one.
Smoking, hardened arteries and high blood pressure all raise the risk of aneurysm. People who have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with an abdominal aortic aneurysm should consider getting tested at age 50 and older because of genetic links to the condition.
Here's a list of upcoming screenings for abdominal aortic aneurysms:
Free screenings using ultrasound, 12:30 to 5 p.m. April 21 and 28. Participants are urged to register in advance by calling 412-578-5644.
Participants are asked not to eat two hours before the test, but they can drink beverages. Meet in the Friendship dining room on the first floor to fill out health history forms.
Life Line Screening, a mobile vascular screening service based in Cleveland, Ohio, that serves 33 states, provides non-invasive tests for carotid artery, peripheral vascular disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm, as well as bone density tests. Beginning April 15, each vascular test will cost $40 or three for $99; bone density is $35. Costs are not covered by Medicare, although supplemental insurance policies may reimburse.
A two-hour fast is required for the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, which is done by ultrasound.
A board-certified physician reviews and confirms all screening results before mailing them to customers in 12 to 15 days. If serious problems are detected, patients are notified immediately and urged to be evaluated by their doctors within 24 hours. In those events, the customer's doctor also is notified directly.
Appointments are required for screenings. Call (800) 407-4557. Most screenings begin about 9 a.m. Screenings are scheduled year-round, but here are those scheduled over the next two months:
April 16, Aliquippa, Ohio United Presbyterian Church
April 17, Meadville, Community Center of Crawford County
April 18, Ellwood City, Ellwood City Community Center
April 19, Green Tree, Beth El Congregation
April 21, Economy, New Hope Lutheran Church
April 26, Mars, Mars Alliance Church
April 27, Peters, St. Benedict the Abbot Church
May 1, Apollo, First Evangelical Lutheran Church
May 2, White Oak, White Oak American Legion
May 3, Verona, Rosedale United Methodist Church
May 7, Hermitage, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
May 10, Swissvale, Word of God parish
May 11, Girard, St. John's Catholic Church
May 15, Baldwin/Hays, Holy Angels Parish
May 18, Greensburg, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
May 19, Cheswick, Harmar Village Care Center
May 21, Warren, Jefferson DeFrees Family Center
May 22, Baden, Circle of Friends Community Center
May 23, Butler, St. Peter Catholic Church
May 24, Dormont, United Methodist Church
May 25, Monroeville, Assembly of God
May 29, South Park, Windover Hills United Methodist Church
May 30, Whitehall/Brentwood, Baldwin Community United Methodist Church.
Event is sponsored by the Society of Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology. Locations and schedules will be available in August. Check http://www.legsforlife.org/ for details.
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The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Bloomfield: