| Posted February 12, 2014 | By Melonee Hurt | Categorized under WMC Happenings |

Stroke is a debilitating disease that often strikes without warning. Nearly one million Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke, which is the number four cause of death and leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Yet, it can be one of the most preventable and treatable diseases if detected early.

Williamson Medical Center is offering a convenient opportunity to get screened for stroke risks and a variety of other potentially life-threatening vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysms.

"Often times, stroke occurs suddenly without showing symptoms, and most people are unaware they're even at risk until it's too late," says Arthur Williams, D.O., family practice physician with Williamson Medical Group in Franklin, Tenn. "However, preventive screening allows for early detection, and treatment is effective in most cases."

You and your spouse can take control of your health and discover if you are at risk for stroke or other potentially life-threatening vascular diseases by attending WMC's LiveWell vascular screening Saturday, April 5, at Williamson Medical Center's Outpatient Imaging, 4601 Carothers Parkway.

To schedule an appointment, call 615.435.6777.

About the LiveWell Vascular Screening

Williamson Medical Center uses the latest technology in non-invasive ultrasound testing to quickly and accurately determine if you are at risk for vascular disease. The LiveWell vascular screenings include:

• ŸA stroke/carotid artery screening shows buildup of plaque in the carotid arteries-the leading cause of stroke. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in America and one of the leading causes of catastrophic disability in adults.
  
• ŸAn aortic aneurysm screening scans for balloon-like bulges in the body's main artery. More than 15,000 people die each year in the U.S. from rupture of an aortic aneurysm. It is estimated that more than one million people are living undiagnosed with this condition, and at least 95 percent of these can be successfully treated if detected prior to rupture.
  
• ŸA peripheral arterial disease screening measures blood flow in an artery to indicate the presence of a blockage. Peripheral arterial disease affects about 8 million Americans, and those with the disease have a five-times-higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

Cost of the package is $130 and includes a free osteoporosis screening, which can detect low bone density before a fracture occurs. Approximately 44 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass.

A variety of lab work also will be available at the screening. Additional tests include: a lipid panel and glucose test, which determines if you are at risk for developing heart disease and screens for diabetes; a PSA test, which detects prostate cancer before symptoms appear; a thyroid stimulating hormone test, which points to an overactive or underactive thyroid;  screenings for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and vitamin D deficiency; and a highly sensitive C-reactive protein test, which screens for artery inflammation, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

For more information, visit williamsonmedicalcenter.org/livewell.