|
|
|
BRHS kicks off 'Legs for Life'
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Subscribe now: RSS news feed, plus free headlines for your site |
You are here: Home :: News & Features :: BRHS kicks off 'Legs for Life'
BRHS kicks off 'Legs for Life'Posted Monday, February 8, 2010
 Brazosport Regional Health System is kicking off the Legs for Life® free national screening program for early detection of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to prevent heart attack, stroke, and amputation. The screening will be held on February 18 from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the 4th floor multipurpose room at the health system. The PAD screenings will be offered monthly and abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings on a quarterly basis. PAD is a vascular disease that occurs when the arteries that carry the blood to the arms and legs become blocked, interfering with the normal flow of blood. Affecting an estimated 8 million Americans, PAD is a red flag for several life-threatening diseases including heart attack, stroke, and amputation. The disease becomes more common as one gets older, and by age 65, about 12-20 percent of the population has it.  The most common symptom of PAD is called claudication, which is leg pain that occurs when walking or exercising and disappears when the person stops the activity. Other symptoms of PAD include: numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg, burning or aching pain in the feet or toes while resting, or developing a sore on the leg or foot that does not heal. You should get tested for PAD if you are over the age of 50, overweight, addicted to tobacco or if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Other risk factors include being African American, having an inactive lifestyle or having a family history of vascular disease such as PAD, aneurysm, heart attack or stroke.  During the Legs for Life screening, an ankle brachial index (ABI) test is used to detect PAD. This quick, simple and painless test compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well the blood is flowing and if there is a need for additional tests. Please call 979-285-1822 to reserve your spot for a free screening on February 18. A prescreening process will occur before completion of registration.  About Legs for Life® Legs for Life has been sponsored annually by the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation since September 1998. Legs for Life is the largest, longest running, and most inclusive national vascular disease screening program in the United States. Nearly 400,000 people have been screened, with one in four found to be at risk for PAD. Additional information about Legs for Life can be found at www.legsforlife.org.  |
Latest articles in News & Features
|
Copyright 2006-2008. All rights reserved.
i