PeaceHealth offering free screenings for peripheral artery disease
Submitted by Anne Williams, PeaceHealth
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – During the month of April, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend will be offering free, pre-scheduled screenings for peripheral artery disease, a common and potentially dangerous circulatory problem in which narrowed or clogged arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 10 million Americans suffer from peripheral artery disease, which places them at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
The 15-minute screenings will be held at the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute at RiverBend, 3333 RiverBend Dr. in Springfield. They include an ankle-brachial index measure (ABI)—a comparison of the blood pressure at the ankle and in the upper arm. Lower blood pressure at the ankle can indicate possible blocked arteries.
The dates of the free screenings are:
- Tuesday, April 9
- Wednesday, April 10
- Tuesday, April 16
- Wednesday, April 17
- Tuesday, April 23
Click on this link to sign up:https://app.peacehealth.org/Course/CDetails.aspx?CourseID=2640&RegionID=0&LocalSubjectID=6
To be eligible for the free screening, you must be over 50 with one or more of the following conditions:
- Current or recent smoker
- Diabetic
- Family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Experiencing pain or numbness in legs, especially when walking
- Not currently under the care of a vascular physician
The most common symptoms of PAD are leg pain, fatigue or numbness when walking. The pain can range from mild to debilitating, and can restrict physical activity and even result in loss of a limb. However, as many as half of those with PAD experience no noticeable symptoms.
About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a nonprofit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a multi-specialty medical group practice with more than 1,200 physicians and providers, and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
