Disease Screenings
Monroe Clinic is again partnering with Life Line Screening, the nation's largest provider of preventive screenings, to offer stroke/carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease screenings in Monroe.
When: Monday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Founders Hal (lower level of clinic building) of Monroe Clinic, 515 22nd Ave., Monroe
Cost: All three screenings cost $119 or each screening costs $45 (payable by cash, credit, or check only).
Registration: Appointments are required. Call 1-800-779-6353 and reference Monroe Clinic to the operator.
Q. I'm a bit confused about carotid artery disease. Is it a problem with the heart? Is the same as coronary artery disease?
A. The carotid arteries run on each side of the neck where they supply oxygen-rich blood to the large, front portion of our brain. Each person has two carotid arteries - one on each side. You can find them just below your jaw on either side of your windpipe. You have probably pressed one of them on occasion to check your pulse during a workout.
Both carotid arteries and coronary arteries play important roles in the body's cardiovascular system, but their jobs are a bit different. While the carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, coronary arteries supply blood to the heart.
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid artery disease occurs when the carotid arteries become blocked with plaque and threaten the blood supply to our brain - the part responsible for thought, speech, personality, sensory and motor functions. If this oxygen-rich blood is blocked from getting to the brain, a stroke can occur. Depending on the severity of the stroke and how quickly treatment is administered, the condition can take a serious toll on the functions housed in that part of the brain or even cause death.
Carotid artery disease is the leading cause of strokes, which makes it a disease you'll want to take seriously. Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States and the No. 1 reason for nursing home admissions.
Clogged Arteries and Shared Risks
In addition to carrying blood to our two most important organs, the carotid and coronary arteries have something else in common: their risk factors. The chances are good that if someone has severe carotid artery disease, they could also have coronary artery disease, and vice versa.
Some of their shared risk factors include:
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco use
• High cholesterol
• Obesity/overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Irregular heartbeat
• Unhealthy diet
• Age
• Family history of stroke
Stroke/Carotid
Artery Symptoms
and Screening
Unfortunately, there are often no symptoms of carotid artery disease until it causes a stroke. Those at risk may benefit from a carotid artery disease screening. For this screening, a painless, non-invasive ultrasound is used to view the carotid arteries and identify any build-up of plaque.
While an abnormal finding on this screening does not represent a diagnosis of carotid artery disease or a substitute for a visit with your physician, it can indicate if further evaluation is needed and hopefully help a prevent life-altering event, such as stroke, from occurring.
When Stroke Happens
While there are often no symptoms of carotid artery disease, there can be warning signs if a stroke occurs. These include:
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms or legs, particularly on one side of the body;
• Loss of speech or trouble understanding speech;
• Sudden unexplained memory loss or confusion;
• Vision problems in one or both eyes;
• Sudden severe, acute headache; or
• Dizziness or loss of balance/gait.
A timely response to stroke symptoms is key to limiting the damage it causes to the brain. By recognizing the symptoms and immediately calling 911, you will better your chances of survival and recovery.
A. The carotid arteries run on each side of the neck where they supply oxygen-rich blood to the large, front portion of our brain. Each person has two carotid arteries - one on each side. You can find them just below your jaw on either side of your windpipe. You have probably pressed one of them on occasion to check your pulse during a workout.
Both carotid arteries and coronary arteries play important roles in the body's cardiovascular system, but their jobs are a bit different. While the carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, coronary arteries supply blood to the heart.
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid artery disease occurs when the carotid arteries become blocked with plaque and threaten the blood supply to our brain - the part responsible for thought, speech, personality, sensory and motor functions. If this oxygen-rich blood is blocked from getting to the brain, a stroke can occur. Depending on the severity of the stroke and how quickly treatment is administered, the condition can take a serious toll on the functions housed in that part of the brain or even cause death.
Carotid artery disease is the leading cause of strokes, which makes it a disease you'll want to take seriously. Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States and the No. 1 reason for nursing home admissions.
Clogged Arteries and Shared Risks
In addition to carrying blood to our two most important organs, the carotid and coronary arteries have something else in common: their risk factors. The chances are good that if someone has severe carotid artery disease, they could also have coronary artery disease, and vice versa.
Some of their shared risk factors include:
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco use
• High cholesterol
• Obesity/overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Irregular heartbeat
• Unhealthy diet
• Age
• Family history of stroke
Stroke/Carotid
Artery Symptoms
and Screening
Unfortunately, there are often no symptoms of carotid artery disease until it causes a stroke. Those at risk may benefit from a carotid artery disease screening. For this screening, a painless, non-invasive ultrasound is used to view the carotid arteries and identify any build-up of plaque.
While an abnormal finding on this screening does not represent a diagnosis of carotid artery disease or a substitute for a visit with your physician, it can indicate if further evaluation is needed and hopefully help a prevent life-altering event, such as stroke, from occurring.
When Stroke Happens
While there are often no symptoms of carotid artery disease, there can be warning signs if a stroke occurs. These include:
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms or legs, particularly on one side of the body;
• Loss of speech or trouble understanding speech;
• Sudden unexplained memory loss or confusion;
• Vision problems in one or both eyes;
• Sudden severe, acute headache; or
• Dizziness or loss of balance/gait.
A timely response to stroke symptoms is key to limiting the damage it causes to the brain. By recognizing the symptoms and immediately calling 911, you will better your chances of survival and recovery.
