A local service may help detect life-threatening cardiovascular conditions and risks of osteoporosis.
By Homaira Shifa / Special to The Malibu Times
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and Life Line Screening, a leading provider of preventative health screenings nationwide, is coming to Malibu to help reduce the risk.
“More than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented,” Joelle Reizes, communications director for Life Line Screening, said.
On Sept. 29, Life Line Screening will be offering screenings to detect potential cardiovascular conditions such as blocked arteries and irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women.
“We primarily focus on vascular screenings, which checks the health of your arteries,” Reizes said. “Fatty plaque builds up and causes strokes. It happens silently, you don’t feel it, you just have to look for it.”
The goal is to help people protect themselves from stroke and other cardiovascular conditions by getting them the information they need and help them connect to their doctors to put good strategies in place to protect their health, Reizes said.
“The screening saved my life,” 77-year-old Fiona Cochrane said.
Cochrane went to a screening in Woodland Hills three years ago where they notified her to see her doctor as soon as possible.
She learned that 90 percent of the right side of her carotid artery was blocked, as well as 80 percent of the left side. She immediately went to see a cardiovascular surgeon.
“I was three months away from having a stroke,” Cochrane said.
Cochrane had two surgeries to clear her arteries.
“I have been 100 percent fit ever since,” Cochrane said.
Many times stroke victims do not experience any symptoms.
“I was in good health and had absolutely no symptoms,” Cochrane said. “A stroke really is a silent killer.”
Many of Cochrane’s friends have also had screenings and have found blocked arteries.
“I heartily recommend to everyone age 60 and older to have screening done,” Cochrane said. “It definitely can save your life.”
Life Line Screening focuses on community screenings to help make the process “comfortable, convenient and affordable,” Reizes said.
The screenings are mainly designed for people ages 50 and older. Individuals with positive test results are notified to contact their personal physicians who can then order further testing and any treatment considerations.
The risk factors for stroke for people over the age of 40 are high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, more than 20 pounds overweight, lack of exercise, family history of stroke or heart disease.
The risk factors for osteoporosis are history of fracture, family history of osteoporosis, low calcium intake, lack of exercise and smoking.
Life Line Screening was established in 1993 in Florida and has screened more than seven million people since inception. Life Line Screening currently screens more than one million people each year at more than 20,000 screening events nationwide.
Its technologists are highly skilled and are either registered or eligible to be registered with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Reizes said.
Life Line Screening uses advanced ultrasound equipment, the same as the equipment found in hospitals, and highly trained healthcare professionals perform the screenings. The results are reviewed by board-certified physicians to ensure the highest standards, Reizes said.
“The tests are noninvasive and painless,” she said.
The screenings on Sept. 29 will take place at 23815 Stuart Ranch Rd. in Malibu. Packages start at $139 and all screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. Pre-registration is required.
More information may be obtained online at www.lifelinescreening.com or by calling 877.237.1287.