When people think of vascular disease, they often picture swollen legs or bulging varicose veins. However, vascular conditions can develop quietly over years without any obvious symptoms or visible clues.
“We often talk about high blood pressure as the silent disease, but many other vascular diseases are also silent,” said Dr. Munier Nazzal, a UToledo Health vascular surgeon. “People may have carotid stenosis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm or peripheral artery disease, and not know it.”
UToledo Health offers free vascular screenings at the Great Lakes Vascular Institute in Sylvania Township. The noninvasive screening uses ultrasound and blood pressure monitoring to assess patients for three common conditions and takes less than 45 minutes.
While certain vascular diseases can lead to serious health problems, early diagnosis can help patients manage the condition and reduce the risk of future complications.
UToledo Health offers free vascular screenings at the Great Lakes Vascular Institute in Sylvania Township. The noninvasive screening uses ultrasound and blood pressure monitoring to assess patients for three common conditions and takes less than 45 minutes. No needles, injections or special preparations are required.
Left untreated, these conditions can lead to serious complications; peripheral artery disease can worsen circulation and lead to limb loss, carotid artery disease raises stroke risk, and an undetected abdominal aortic aneurysm can rupture. Risk factors include older age, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a history of smoking or a family history of vascular disease.
“What we’re really trying to do is identify disease and prevent the progression of disease,” Nazzal said. “By identifying disease early, we can often intervene before it reaches that point. This is a way for us to serve and care for our community.”
If a potential issue is identified, results can be shared with the patient’s primary care physician for follow-up, or individuals can schedule a consultation with one of UToledo Health’s board-certified vascular surgeons to discuss appropriate next steps.
The free screening is open to anyone. To schedule, call the Great Lakes Vascular Institute at 419.383.2980.
