Menopausal Mother

After my father passed away in 2008, I started thinking more about my own health. My brother had suffered from a stroke the year before, and both my mother and sister had a history of blood clots. When I shared my concerns with my mother, she told me about Life Line Screening, a testing service that provides screenings for early detection to prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke. We learned that a Life Line Screening team would be in our area that month and booked the next available appointment. I was only 48 at the time, but with my family history of stroke, blood clots, and a grandfather who died from a ruptured aorta, I knew how important it was to be proactive in maintaining my heart health. 

I was surprised at how affordable, easy, and painless the entire process was when we had the tests! My physician had never mentioned Life Line Screening to me at the time since I was only 48. But I discovered that most insurance companies do not cover the cost of carotid artery ultrasound tests for asymptomatic people until symptoms of stroke or heart attack occur. By then, it is often too late. 

According to the Center for Disease Control, 655,000 Americans die each year from heart disease---that's roughly 1 in every 4 deaths. The American Heart Association claims that 80% of cardiac events are preventable with early detection and lifestyle changes. This is why it's essential to take advantage of the invaluable prevention service that Life Line Screening provides.

 RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND STROKE:

Age 50 and above 

Overweight

Family history of stroke or heart disease

Smoking

High blood pressure

Diabetes

High cholesterol

The Life Line screening process is amazingly convenient and efficient. No prescription or health insurance is necessary, and appointments can easily be made over the phone or online. Testing facilities are available all over the U.S., with screenings hosted mainly by churches, libraries, town halls, and fraternal organizations near your home. The Life Line teams usually consist of 2 sonographers (ultrasound technicians), 2 medical assistants, and a nurse practitioner. The process is entirely painless and non-invasive with the use of an ultrasound wand (a diagnostic tool that creates visual images for the detection of plaque in the arteries). Unlike an x-ray, the ultrasound has zero radiation exposure. These same tests can be very costly if performed in a hospital since many are not covered by insurance if they are asymptomatic or do not fall into the high-risk category for cardiovascular disease. 

The screening process takes roughly 60-90 minutes (my appointments have never taken longer than an hour), and results are read by a doctor before the detailed report is mailed to you (usually within 2-3 weeks). Copies are also provided for your physician so that you can discuss the results and plan the best course of action for living a healthy lifestyle. However, if a Life Line technician discovers a life-threatening condition, such as an aneurysm on the brink of rupturing, they will send the client to the ER. Also, if a serious issue is detected in the test results, such as Atrial Fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) that need immediate attention, a Life Line representative will contact the patient rather than have them wait several weeks for the mailed results. 

THE THREE TYPES OF TESTING AVAILABLE:

1. Ultrasound. This is the main package they offer---5 screenings for only $149. The tests include: 

    *An ultrasound of the carotid arteries to search for plaque blockages (these are fatty blockages that build up in the arteries and prevent proper blood flow to the brain).

   *An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta (the largest artery in the body) to look for an aneurysm or damage to the aorta---such as ballooning, stretching, or tearing, which can cause extensive bleeding and potential death.

   *A Peripheral Arterial Disease screening to check the circulatory condition. If blood vessels are narrow from plaque build-up, the blood flow to the limbs is reduced considerably, affecting the arteries in the legs and the blood flow to the heart, brain, arms, kidney, and stomach. 

   *Check for Arterial Fibrillation to search for irregular heart rhythms. If the heart isn't beating properly, blood pools in the heart and causes clotting. These clots are then pumped out of the heart and can travel into the brain, putting the patient at high risk for a stroke, heart failure, and other heart complications. 

    *The Osteoporosis Test is used to detect bone density. As we age, our bones become more porous and lose mass, making them susceptible to fractures.

2. Finger-Stick Blood Test. A quick stick test is done with a tiny needle to prick the finger for a drop of blood to check cholesterol, thyroid function, vitamin D, glucose levels, and more.

3. Limited EKG (Electrocardiogram). This is a partial test that uses adhesive patches attached to the skin to monitor arterial fibrillation.

In addition to these tests, Life Line Screening also provides a take-home kit to detect colorectal cancer, something every person over the age of 50 should consider being screened for. 

I've been getting annual Life Line Screening tests for 13 years now, so when they contacted me about sharing information on their screening services, I didn't hesitate. After all, who doesn't want peace of mind when it comes to their health? Remember, you can't see or feel arterial blockages in the early stages. Ultrasound screening is the best preventative for detecting these blockages. Convenient, affordable, reliable, and painless, these tests are a no-brainer for preventing cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Now more than ever, with COVID-19 numbers on the rise, people who are already at high risk or have pre-existing cardiovascular disease need to be carefully monitoring their health, and Life Life Screening is the answer. 

I'm sharing this information because I care about you, and I care about my family. I plan on being around for a long time to see my children and my grandchildren grow older. Please be proactive about your health---click on the link provided below to read more about Life Line Screening and to schedule an appointment at a facility in your area. You just might be saving your life! For more information, click here: http://llsa.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=290&aff_id=1215

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