Free Vascular Screening Fair July 15

A free vascular screening fair will be held Wednesday, July 15, from 5-8 p.m. at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, MD.

MedStar St. Mary’s Hospitals Vascular Surgeon Arthur Flatau, III, MD, will offer d an educational presentation on vascular disease July 15 during the Vascular Screening Fair.

Available at the screening will be artery scans in the neck, abdomen and ankles; blood pressure checks; and ankle-brachial index (ABI) test checks. Screenings are by appointment only. Call 410-573-9483 ext. 202 for information and appointments.

Individuals with vascular disease may never notice the symptoms. Anyone who is older than 50, is a smoker, has diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol is at a greater risk for vascular disease.

This MedStar Health event will be hosted in collaboration with MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital and Dare to C.A.R.E., a free program offered through the non-profit Heart Health Foundation.

MedStar Health is working in affiliation with Dare to C.A.R.E to educate communities about the risks of vascular disease and to uncover arterial blockages that may otherwise go undetected. A vascular screening patient recently expressed…

“I thought I was extremely healthy – I did the screening just in case. I had no signs, no symptoms. The screening revealed a blockage of 80 percent in my artery. I could have had a massive stoke without even knowing why. Because it was caught, I received immediate treatment. When dealing with something like this, you may not have a second chance. Just because you feel well, doesn’t mean all is well inside.”                                  

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 610,000 people die of cardiovascular disease in the United States every year and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. If you are between the ages of 50 and 80, smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you are at a greater risk for vascular disease.

The vascular screening event will offer free blood pressure checks, non-invasive ultrasound scans of arteries in the neck and ankles, and a free ankle brachial index (ABI). An ABI measures resting blood pressure at the ankle and in the arm. The results are used to predict the severity of peripheral arterial disease, which can be linked to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

During the event, Arthur Flatau III, MD, a board-certified vascular surgeon at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, will offer an educational lecture on peripheral vascular disease. Dr. Flatau has more than 30 years of experience in conventional vascular surgical options and minimally invasive endovascular procedures. Dr. Flatau practices full time at the Specialty Physicians of St. Mary’s located in the Outpatient Pavilion of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.

Presentations about nutrition and smoking cessation will also be offered during the educational portion of MedStar St. Mary’s program which will begin at 6 pm. The vascular screening event is a cost-free community service, but those wishing to participate must make an appointment. No insurance information is required.

For more information, or to make an appointment, call 410-573-9483, Ext. 202.