Health Screening

Screening tests for common vascular conditions:

It is often the case that serious conditions such as heart disease or abdominal aneurysms develop over many years. During the development phase such conditions rarely cause any symptoms and patients are unaware that there is anything wrong until the day that a serious problem such as a heart attack or a stroke occurs.

For this reason doctors and patients are increasingly interested in ‘screening tests’ to try to pick up conditions at an early stage. Generally speaking, if a problem is discovered early on before it has had time to get out of control, something can be done to sort it out.

For certain conditions such as breast cancer and cervical cancer, the NHS provides screening programmes, but there are many other diseases where screening is not available on the NHS.

Several vascular conditions can be detected by use of a simple ultrasound scan which is painless and non - invasive. It takes about 20 minutes. Our practice offers screening tests for three common vascular conditions:

Aortic Aneurysm screening:
An aortic aneurysm is a weakness of the wall of the main blood vessel in the abdomen which causes the aorta to widen its diameter. It is a condition that mainly affects men in later life. The widening of the aorta rarely causes symptoms unless it causes the blood vessel to burst. If the aneurysm bursts, severe bleeding happens in the abdomen and the majority of patients do not survive this event. It is estimated that 7,000 deaths per year in the UK happen as a result of ruptured aortic aneurysms.

Ultrasound screening test for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

A simple screening ultrasound scan can pick up the aneurysm at an early stage and if necessary it can be repaired by planned surgery before the point at which it ruptures.

Carotid artery screening:
As we get older, fatty deposits cause damage to the inside walls of our arteries. This damage can result in patients suffering heart attacks and strokes. One leading cause of stroke is a narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck. The carotid arteries are the main blood supply to the brain.

Ultrasound screening test for Carotid Artery Disease

Detection of narrowing in the carotid arteries can be detected at an early stage by ultrasound scanning and treated. Usually all that is needed is treatment with tablets to keep the condition under control. In a small number of very severe cases an operation [called a carotid endarterectomy] is needed to clear out the narrowing and make the inside of the artery smooth again.

Ankle blood pressure:
Most people are used to having their blood pressure taken in their arm. However, the arteries of the legs are more prone to being blocked up by fatty deposits and are often the first arteries in the body to show symptoms of this condition. Picking up the symptoms in the legs at an early stage can allow doctors to treat the condition before damage occurs in other areas such as the heart and brain. A simple blood pressure test at the ankle level can detect signs of narrowing in the leg arteries.

Blood Pressure measurement at the ankle to pick up signs of early artery disease

Deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins:
Aching, throbbing and swelling of the legs, especially on prolonged standing can be caused by problems with the vein system in the legs. These problems can range from relatively simple ‘varicose veins’ which can be treated by a variety of means, or from trouble with the deep veins.

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where clots occur in the deep veins of the legs. Certain factors can make this more likely to happen such as a major surgical operation or long haul airline travel. A deep vein thrombosis in the past can result in damage to the deep veins of the legs which can result in long term symptoms of aching, swelling and discomfort.

Most vein conditions can be picked up with a simple ultrasound scan.

Costs:

• Aortic aneurysm screening plus Ankle Blood Pressure: £150
• Carotid Artery Screening plus Ankle Blood Pressure: £150
• Aortic aneurysm, plus carotid artery screening, plus ankle blood pressure: £250
• Deep vein thrombosis / aching legs: £150

To book an appointment please call Lauren on 0845 045 1160 or email us via this link: screening@sweeneychaloner.co.uk

Secretary and Appointments: 0845 0451160
Vascular Hotline: 07855 455 855

Copyright Sweeney Chaloner Surgical Chambers Ltd 2007