By Karen Cohilas - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – If you knew that a quick break out of your day could save your life, would you take it?
Phoebe Putney has introduced AngioScreens, which take as little as six minutes. They perform an ultrasound on neck arteries and also check blood flow in the rest of the body.
What they find helps you know more about your risk of heart disease or stroke.The cost of a heart attack or stroke can't be measured in dollars.
Treatment, if you're lucky enough to survive can cost more than a hundred thousand dollars. But preventative screenings can be measured in dollars and not many. Dollars that could save your life.
Valerie Culpepper works at Phoebe. She doesn't work directly with medical care, but knows enough about her own health to get screened for any potential problems. "My family has a history of heart issues and it's just something I'm concerned about and the older we get, the more we want to take care of ourselves," she said.
That's why she's getting an AngioScreen today. It only takes a few minutes and can reveal any vascular problems or blockages she may have."Vascular screening points out those patients that have underlying diseases that may or may not have symptoms," said Cardiovascular Surgeon Francis Herrbold.
In an Angioscreen, blood pressure, pulse, heart rhythm, body mass index and ABI, which checks for blockages in the arteries that go to the legs. If problems are detected here, it could help prevent major issues later on.
"Screening programs are cost effective and they prevent catastrophic problems like stroke, ruptured aneurisms or death," said Echo Manager Kyle Crenshaw. "We want them to be able to have a process in place so that they can have a screening done."
"It's very important that people look into their vascular health. It's the leading cause of death in America and it's extremely prevalent in Southwest Georgia."
Just like in Valerie's family. Fortunately for her, everything checked out okay today. But it was worth the quick break from her day to make sure, all is well.
The AngioScreens are $60 for seniors and $75 for people under 50. You can sign up by Calling Phoebe at 229-312-1460.
Phoebe will also take the screenings on the road. They'll be at MRI imaging later this month and in March and they hope to take the equipment to other businesses and locations around Albany.
©2010 WALB News. All rights reserved. Feedback
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
