The Vascular Team at the University of Arizona Department of Surgery will provide its first free vascular screening event on Saturday, June 30, 9 a.m.-noon, at Banner – University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., Building 2.
The screenings offer an opportunity for people to find out about the health of their blood circulatory system and if they have any conditions that they ought to take measures to remedy. Vascular issues can be earlier indicators for diabetes, heart, lung and kidney disease as well.
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Stacy Stewart, a registered vascular technologist (RVT) and supervisor of the vascular lab, said the screenings are by appointment only and take about 40 minutes to complete. Those wishing to be screened can book an appointment by calling (520) 694-6608.
Stewart said there would be three tests, largely using ultrasound, to look for carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and peripheral artery disease. The last is by doing an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) test that compares arterial blood flow at the ankle and arm.
“Each test takes about 10 minutes and, then, they’ll have a 10 minute consultation with one of our physicians to go over the results,” she said. “These are not official studies, just screenings, so if some abnormality is found an official study might be recommended by the physician.”
Otherwise, participants will get general tips on how to maintain or improve their vascular health from one of the four clinicians who’ll be present. Those include Wei Zhou, MD, chief of the UA Division of Vascular Surgery; Kay Goshima, MD; Tze-Woei Tan, MBBS, and Carol Hart, FNP (The division's faculty and staff are pictured at right—click to enlarge).
Stewart added that the vascular team is hoping to host another full-day screening in the fall and is using this event as a trial run for that.