LINING UP PREVENTIVE HEALTH.

Byline: - Simone Schramm

Many people receive a clean bill of health at the doctor's office, unaware they could be at risk for a stroke or aneurysm because they show no symptoms.

Yet, each year about 700,000 people suffer strokes, a major cause of death and permanent disability, according to a 2004 American Heart Association report. And women are particularly vulnerable, with about 40,000 more women than men experiencing strokes, caused when blood flow to a region of the brain is obstructed.

Life Line Screening, the nation's largest provider of preventive health screening, says it can help people identify potential health risks before they become major problems.

``We are not trying to take the place of anyone's physician,'' said Paula Motolik, spokeswoman for Life Line Screening. ``We allow people to kind of take their health care into their hands and then talk to their physician about the results.''

Life Line Screening tests for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and osteoporosis.

The stroke and aneurysm screenings use ultrasound technology to detect problems in blood vessels. In stroke screenings, the ultrasound displays images of the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, measuring the blood flow through these vessels. The aneurysm screenings display the abdominal aorta and measures its size along the course of the artery.

``It is the same ultrasound used to look at an unborn child,'' said Motolik.

``The best part of the ultrasound is that it's noninvasive because it doesn't take blood,'' said David Stone, regional manager for the company's Southwest Region, which encompasses Southern California. ``That's what makes the test reliable and easy.''

For osteoporosis screenings, technicians use a machine that measures the heel's bone density. The heel is used because its bone density is similar to that of the hip, where osteoporosis fractures occur most frequently.

``These tests detect things in our bodies doctors feeling around with a stethoscope really can't detect,'' Stone said.

According to Motolik, about 8 percent to 10 percent of those screened will show some sort of abnormality that should be examined by a licensed physician. About 2 percent to 3 percent of screened patients will fall into a category deemed severe or critical. In those cases, the attending technician will immediately refer the patient to his or her physician.

``Basically, they're a walking time bomb at that point,'' Motolik said.

Screening participants who have mild to moderate plaque buildup will receive a report within 21 days after state-licensed and board certified physicians review the results. If disease is detected through a screening, the patient's physician can take action to diagnose and treat.

A vascular screening package, which includes the stroke/carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm and hardening of the arteries, is $109. A complete package including the osteoporosis screening costs $129.

Life Line Screening uses a mobile unit that visits community centers, gyms and church halls. In Southern California, the company deploys four vans that service communities in San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties, including the San Fernando Valley, as well as Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Fresno.

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no caption (man being examined)

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Upcoming screenings