Stroke screening to be offered Nov. 29 to Newton area residents
Many people go through their daily routines without realizing how close they are to suffering a life-threatening stroke. And, unfortunately, most people don’t have symptoms or signs before a stroke — the third leading cause of death in the United States — occurs.
To help individuals determine their stroke risk in advance so they can take steps to improve their health, a stroke detection screening will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at Hy-Vee in Newton to help individuals identify blood flow blockages.
Stroke Detection Plus, a mobile vascular screening company, uses ultrasound technology to find blockages in the body’s blood vessels that could lead to a stroke. A complete wellness profile costs $135 and individual tests are $45 each.
“Ultrasound technology is something that’s been around for over 50 years,” said Scott McGlothlen, Stroke Detection Plus president. “Medical professionals have used the visual, non-invasive technology in many applications. Pregnancy is probably the most well-known application of ultrasound.”
Ultrasound also can help doctors see blocked blood vessels without performing an angiogram, an invasive procedure in which a tiny catheter tube is inserted into a blood vessel.
“Unlike an angiogram, the Stroke Detection Plus ultrasound screening is performed without needles or injections,” McGlothlen said.
Patients remain fully clothed as the technician moves an ultrasound probe over specific areas of the body to detect potential blood vessel blockages.
“In five minutes, we can tell people if they have blockage. And they get these results confidentially, so it doesn’t affect their health premium,” McGlothlen said.
During a Stroke Detection Plus screening, a certified ultrasound technician performs four tests.
“If the ultrasound test discovers a potential health problem, an on-staff nurse for Stroke Detection Plus will follow up with a phone consultation to encourage patients to visit their doctor for diagnosis and treatment,” McGlothlen said.
People over the age of 40 are encouraged to get tested especially with one or more of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, more than 20 pounds overweight, smoke, have high cholesterol, inactive lifestyle or have a family medical history of heart disease or stroke.
A two-minute virtual tour of the screenings being offered can be found on the Stroke Detection Plus website, www.strokedetectionplus.com. Appointments are necessary. To set up an appointment, call (877) 732-8258.
