By the way, doctor: Should I be tested at Life Line Screening?
Three of the tests are used to screen for vascular disease. One involves the use of ultrasound to detect narrowing, usually caused by cholesterol plaque, in the carotid arteries on either side of the neck. Plaque buildup in a carotid artery increases the risk of stroke. A second test is performed using blood pressure cuffs on the arms and ankles to identify plaque in the arteries of the legs (peripheral artery disease), which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. The third vascular test uses ultrasound to look for abdominal aortic aneurysm — ballooning (and therefore potential rupture) of the abdominal aorta, the large artery that supplies blood to the abdomen and lower half of the body. The package may also include an ultrasound test for osteoporosis in the heel.
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