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Screening for vascular disease appears to be beneficial for people 55 years of age or older with cardiovascular risk factors according to the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). Vascular disease is a leading cause of stroke, death, and limb amputation in the United States, and is particularly dangerous because in many people the disorder is entirely asymptomatic until a life-changing medical event occurs.

“It is unfortunate that most often people who have a stroke or abdominal aortic aneurysm are unaware of their condition before it is too late. With baby boomers entering this age group, it is important the public becomes aware of vascular disease and the benefit of screening,” said K. Craig Kent, MD, vascular surgeon and president of the SVS. “Members of SVS want people to know that when diagnosed early, these diseases can be managed and treated to prevent catastrophic results.”

Noninvasive vascular ultrasound screenings have been proven to accurately detect evidence of these diseases; and, when evidence is found, vascular surgeons can successfully treat the diseases to prevent stroke or loss of life. People who should consider being screened are those 55 years or older with cardiovascular risk factors including a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, high cholesterol, known cardiovascular disease, or a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The SVS recommends the following screenings in high risk individuals: an ultrasound scan of the aorta to identify aortic aneurysms; an ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries to assess stroke risk; and blood pressure measurements in the legs to identify peripheral arterial disease and risk of heart disease. The entire statement on vascular screening is available at: http://www.vascularweb.org/_CONTRIBUTION_PAGES/Media/svs_positions/svs_positions.html.

“Vascular surgeons treat those at risk for stroke, people with abdominal aortic aneurysm, and individuals with peripheral arterial disease using lifestyle changes, medication, noninvasive procedures, and in the most advanced cases, open surgery,” said Kent.