New PAD Screening Guidelines!

The new 2011 ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) were recently released from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. They recommend that the ABI (ankle/brachial index) exam should be used to establish lower extremity PAD diagnosis all individuals

• Age 65 and older
• Age 50 years or older with a history of smoking or diabetes
• Who have leg pain with walking
• Who have non-healing wounds

 Peripheral Arterial Disease, also known as PAD, affects 8-12 million people in the United States, and is a common, yet serious, disease that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

 PAD develops when the arteries are clogged with plaque made of cholesterol or other fatty materials, eventually resulting in severe leg pain or even amputation. However, almost half of people with PAD don’t even know they have it because they do not have symptoms!

 The ABI test (ankle/brachial index) is a screening exam that is used for the diagnosis of PAD. It is a painless ultrasound exam that involves comparing the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood pressure in the arm.

 Futura Health Screening offers this affordable screening exam for the low price of $45. No doctor’s referral is necessary. Call (425) 398-7797 or (866) 486-4882 to schedule a screening. If you have symptoms, such as leg pain or non-healing wounds, please ask your doctor about ordering this exam.

 For more information about PAD and how to prevent it, please visit Futura’s website at http://www.futurahealthscreening.com/.

PVICME Announces Fall 2011 Line-up

Planning for PVICME’s fall schedule is in full swing.   This year”s schedule offers a new one day class on Venous Insufficiency.  The course will be taught by Lisa McAdam, BS, RVT.   Lisa is also a senior technologist for Pacific Vascular as well as a member of the PVICME faculty.   Lisa will share her knowledge of the complexity of venous insufficiency evaluation and various means of therapy.  Ben Lerner, MD, Vascular Surgeon and Pacific Vascular Associate Physician, will focus on the EVLT vs. RF vs. vein stripping and treatment. There will also be a discussion of  what physicians should be asking of the technologists who are performing  the scans.   It promises to be a great course and you will want to make sure to register early at www.pvicme.com. 

Vascular Health Screenings Offered in West Seattle for Stroke Awareness Month

Are you are over 50, have high blood pressure, are a past or current smoker, or have high cholesterol? If so, then you are at risk for vascular disease, such as stroke, aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease (leg artery blockage).

Futura Health Screening will be offering accurate and affordable screening exams from 9 am to 3 pm on Wednesday, May 25, hosted by Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, 2326 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA.

Strokes occur when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. The presence of carotid artery blockage, also known as stenosis, is the leading cause of strokes.

An estimated 20 to 30 million Americans are at risk for vascular diseases such as stroke, peripheral arterial disease and aortic aneurysm. Preventative screening allows for early detection and treatment before a catastrophic event, such as a stroke or aneurysm rupture.

The screening exams include carotid artery ultrasound to detect stroke-causing plaque, abdominal aortic ultrasound to detect an aneurysm, and ankle brachial index (ABI) to detect peripheral arterial disease in the legs. The screenings are painless and take about 15 minutes to perform.

Screenings are $45 each or $125 for all three. No doctor referral is necessary. Pre-registration is required. Call (425) 398-7797 to schedule a screening.

Futura Health Screening is the only ICAVL accredited non-invasive vascular screening program in Washington State. Futura Health Screening is a division of Pacific Vascular, Inc., the largest provider of vascular ultrasound testing in the Northwest.

Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights is located in the heart of West Seattle offering independent and assisted living and respite care.

Futura Health Screening Urges Awareness of Stroke Symptoms During May, National Stroke Awareness Month

May is National Stroke Awareness month. In order to understand your risk factors and the symptoms of stroke, Futura Health Screening will be offering preventative stroke and vascular screenings on Wednesday, May 25, from 9 am to 3 pm, hosted by Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, 2326 California Ave SW, Seattle,WA.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year and about 75% of all strokes occur without warning symptoms.

Read more…

Discounted Vascular Screenings

Come check us out and get a coupon for discounted vascular screenings. We are participating at The Trilogy Wellness & Fitness Expo in Redmond, WA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. Futura, along with Swedish Medical Center and other health and wellness experts in the area, will be there to answer questions and provide educational materials to the community of Redmond Ridge. For directions, click here.

Futura Provides PAD Screening to West Seattle Seniors

The seniors of West Seattle were provided free PAD screening exams to check for leg artery blockages on March 29, 2011 at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Twenty-five participated in the free screening offer; 4 with abnormal results (16%), indicating the presence of peripheral arterial disease, or PAD.

Click here to read more…

Free PAD Screenings at West Seattle Health Fair on Tuesday, March 29th

If you are over 50, have high blood pressure, are a past or current smoker, or have high cholesterol, then you are at risk for vascular disease, such as stroke, aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease (leg artery blockage).

From 10 AM to 1 PM on March 29, Futura Health Screening will be offering free peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening at the West Seattle Senior Center Health Fair, located at 4217 SW Oregon St. in West Seattle.

Click here for more information.

Know the Stroke Warning Signs ~ It Could Save Your Life!

According to the American Stroke Association, from the moment a stroke occurs, millions of brain cells die each minute, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. Click here to learn about stroke warning signs.

So, if you or someone with you has one or more of these stroke signs, do not delay! Immediately call 9-1-1.  

Also, check the time so you will know when the first symptoms appeared. If it is a stroke, it is very important to take immediate medical action. A clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke, if given within in three hours of the start of a stroke.

Free PAD Screenings at Fiesta de Salud In Yakima, WA

On July 30^th, 2010, twelve Pacific Vascular and Futura Health Screening ultrasound technologists gave up their Saturday to participate in the 3^rd annual Fiesta de Salud held in Yakima, WA.

Shea Kirschner, RVT performing ABI Exam

Thousands of people in this area cannot afford health insurance, but on this Saturday, many families were able to receive health services they desperately needed, all provided to them at no charge.

The Fiesta de Salud in a Multi-Cultural Health Fair that is sponsored by Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital of Yakima, WA and their partners. Over 50 booths were set up by various healthcare providers and members of the community.

The goal was to provide health screening and information ranging from bicycle safety to early learning programs. The most popular booths provided valuable medical screening, information on nutrition, physical therapy, and social services.

The Pacific Vascular and Futura Health Screening exhibit was among the most active of the entire event. Our technologists provided free PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) screening to roughly 150 people. PAD is an under-diagnosed disease that affects 8-12 million Americans. PAD causes leg pain when walking and if untreated, can lead to gangrene, and possibly amputation. PAD is also a major marker for heart disease. If you have atherosclerosis (artery plaque build-up) in your legs, you are more likely to have blockages in your arteries in your heart, which can lead to a heart attack. PAD is also associated with increase risk of stroke.

Thanks to all of the technologists who gave up their weekend to provide free healthcare service during this valuable community event.

Futura Screening = $1.00 ASA Donation

Did you know that Futura Health Screening donates $1.00 to the American Stroke Association for each screening?

As a shared passion, this donation is used to assist the American Stroke Association’s efforts on educating the public about stroke risk factors, risk factor modification, and the warning signs of stroke.

Futura is dedicated to reducing stroke and its debilitating outcomes through early detection of carotid artery disease, the leading cause of stroke. It is estimated that 80% of strokes can be prevented though early detection, education, medical treatment and risk factor modification.

Are you at risk for stroke? Find out what you can do to prevent stroke.

Get screened!