Vascular Screening
The onset of vascular diseases such as stroke, peripheral artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm can have serious health consequences, and the best line of defense is early detection and treatment. At the Vanishing Vein, we offer comprehensive vascular screening to detect the presence of vascular diseases and help maintain your overall health.
Located in Framingham, Massachusetts, the Vanishing Vein is led by vascular specialist Dr. Brian Davison. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how a vascular screening can detect early signs of vascular disease.
What is a Vascular Screening?
The main purpose of a vascular screening is to evaluate targeted blood vessels for signs of blockages or plaque buildups that could potentially result in stroke and other vascular diseases. This preventative care is important to your overall health, as the early signs of vascular disease often presents no symptoms. Once the screening is complete, the results will be sent to your primary care physician to be shared with you. If your results are abnormal, Dr. Davison can meet with you one-on-one to discuss your treatment options.
What Tests Does Dr. Davison Perform?
This snapshot of your blood vessel activity involves three different types of advanced testing:
- Carotid Artery Ultrasound: These vital arteries that run along either side of your neck can develop plaque buildup or fatty blockages and potentially lead to stroke.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Scan: This tests for the expanding, or ballooning, of the abdominal aorta, which can be fatal if a rupture occurs. This condition is largely asymptomatic, making early detection essential.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease Test: Using the Ankle Brachial Index, this test checks for blockages, plaque buildup, and narrowing in the leg arteries. The abnormal results of this test may indicate the presence of peripheral or coronary artery diseases.
Testing is usually fast and well-tolerated, with an individual test only taking an average of 15 minutes and all three tests taking less than an hour.
Who Should Receive a Vascular Screening?
While all men and women can benefit from having their vascular health regularly evaluated, there are certain characteristics that can put people at risk, including:
- A history of smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Elevated stress levels
- Lack of physical activity
- Medical conditions such as Diabetes and high cholesterol
- Family history of heart disease and stroke
Contact the Vanishing Vein for more information about how to schedule your vascular screening at our Framingham office.