Vascular Screening: Could Silent Heart Disease Be Affecting You?

Written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Elevate Health and Wellness, serving patients across the Gulf Coast in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

The Silent Nature of Vascular Disease

Vascular disease — conditions affecting the arteries and veins that carry blood throughout your body — is among the most deadly and most silent categories of illness affecting Gulf Coast adults. Carotid artery stenosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and peripheral artery disease can all develop over decades without producing any symptoms whatsoever. The first clinical sign is often a stroke, a ruptured aneurysm, or a limb-threatening arterial occlusion — events that are frequently fatal or permanently disabling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability.

What Is Vascular Screening Ultrasound?

Vascular screening ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the interior of blood vessels — detecting plaque buildup, narrowing, dilation, or abnormal blood flow patterns that indicate disease. It requires no radiation, no contrast dye, and no preparation in most cases. Results are available the same day and are reviewed directly with Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C as part of your comprehensive care plan.

What Elevate's Vascular Screening Evaluates

Our vascular screening program at Elevate includes carotid artery ultrasound to detect plaque and stenosis that increases stroke risk, abdominal aortic ultrasound to screen for aneurysm — recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force for male smokers aged 65 to 75, peripheral arterial evaluation of the leg vessels for arterial disease that can cause claudication, wounds that won't heal, and limb loss, and renal artery screening for abnormalities contributing to resistant hypertension and kidney damage.

Who Should Consider Vascular Screening?

Vascular screening is most valuable for adults over 50 with cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, current or former smoking history, obesity, and family history of stroke or aortic aneurysm. It is also appropriate for patients who have experienced unexplained leg pain or cramping with activity, transient visual changes or neurological symptoms, or those who simply want a comprehensive picture of their vascular health as part of proactive preventive care.

Ready to assess your vascular health? Learn about our vascular screening services at Elevate in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

Sources: CDC. Stroke Statistics. cdc.gov. | US Preventive Services Task Force. AAA Screening Recommendations. uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.

This article is written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Elevate Health and Wellness. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized care.