Circulatory Check-Up

If you are concerned you may be at risk or have a family history of stroke, aneurysm, or peripheral artery disease (PAD), Harbin Clinic offers the Circulatory Check-Up to any patient.  The screening is a $1000 value, offered to patients for only $119. The vascular screening will be performed by one of our expertly trained vascular technologists. The tests will then be reviewed by our vascular surgeons.

The Circulatory Check-Up includes the following tests

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM SCREENING

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), a specific kind of aneurysm, is a condition in which the lining of the blood vessel called the aorta is enlarged within the abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms pose a threat because they are usually silent until a medical emergency occurs.

The abdominal aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and the main artery that originates in the heart. As the lining weakens from age and other risk factors, the vessel wall thins and expands. The most common location for an AAA is between where the aorta supplies blood to the kidneys and where it divides to supply blood to the pelvis and legs.

Simple, painless, non-invasive, the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening uses ultrasound to take measurements of your abdominal aorta.

STROKE/CAROTID ARTERY SCREENING

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die. There are two kinds of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot or plaque buildup blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes result from blood vessels breaking and leaking into or around the brain.

Before having a stroke, some people experience Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), also known as “mini-strokes”. These are mild strokes that result from a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain.

Simple, painless, and non-invasive, the Carotid Artery Screening uses cutting-edge Doppler color flow ultrasound technology to evaluate the blood flow through the carotid arteries.

BLOOD CIRCULATION (ARTERIOSCLEROSIS) SCREENING

Do you have discomfort in the calf muscle when walking that is relieved with rest? If yes, you may have peripheral artery disease (PAD). This disease of blood circulation affects as many as 10 million people in the United States. The classic symptom of PAD is discomfort or pain in the muscle of the leg with walking, called claudication in medical terminology. The discomfort in the leg is typically relieved within 10 minutes of rest. Claudication is due to a blocked leg artery, most commonly from cholesterol buildup resulting in plaque that blocks blood flow and oxygen, the fuel of muscle.

People who are most susceptible to developing PAD smoke cigarettes or have diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. PAD is equally prevalent in men and women. It is common for people with PAD to have heart disease or carotid artery disease. All patients with PAD should be carefully evaluated by a physician.

To evaluate for PAD, continuous-wave Doppler is utilized and blood pressures at the ankles and arms are obtained. The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is calculated and used to determine if the disease is present, and if so, how much disease.

No referrals are necessary for the screening. Simply call the Vascular Diagnostics Lab at 762-235-3340 to schedule an appointment.