|
Strokescreen.com, one of a few providers of
ultrasound based Stroke Prevention Screening, has developed an accurate, rapid, and inexpensive
test to detect the presence of plaque in the arteries that carry blood to the brain. A blockage in these
carotid arteries is the cause of 80% of all strokes. This test, similar to the “Carotid Duplex Scan”
conducted in hospitals and clinics, can easily include miscellaneous charges of more than $600.00. Our
test is as accurate, but simplified, and can still image plaque from as small as a pinhead to a condition where there is a
complete blockage. This test is available to you as a screening test at a cost of less than $40.00 per
person. The thyroid gland can also be imaged with ultrasound. In “looking”
at the thyroid, the size of the gland can be determined, noting the presence of nodules (masses). In the event of questionable findings, a report is given to the participant at the time of the test, along
with suggestions of follow-up actions, which may need to taken, with a physician. PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF STROKE PREVENTION SCREENING With initial screenings begun in 1995, Strokescreen.com has conducted over
80,000 individual screenings, in an effort to combat the number of stroke victims who have had no advance warning of a potential
problem. Many of these people had not been to a physician for years and felt that they were in very good
health. Others had been having symptoms, but wrote them off as signs of old age. After
developing Stroke Prevention Screening, Strokescreen.com decided to reach out to the public through
settings that were convenient to most. Public screenings in churches, work places, health fairs and other
locations have been used. Follow-up results from our screenings indicate that many
people have changed their lifestyles in such ways as fat reduction in their diets, smoking reduction, and increased exercise.
Many of those seen with a moderate to significant plaque build-up have been seen by their physicians and are being
monitored or treated for the problem. Medication is being used in many cases. Often
follow-up testing has occurred. Subsequent surgery has also been done to clean out the blocked arteries. HOW WE CONDUCT A STROKE PREVENTION & THYROID SCREENING Prior to our arrival, we will discuss a schedule. You will then be
sent a sign-up sheet for your use in scheduling your employees. In addition, posters can be included, informing
your employees of the coming screening and explaining what it is. We will also assist you in preparing
any articles you may need for an in-house newsletter. When scheduling appointments, we prefer to schedule every
ten minutes, as testing of each employee usually requires no more than this. This, of course, depends
on the people being on time and on the findings of the screening. Should a questionable finding occur,
time is spent counseling the employee as to further actions. Our schedule does allow time for walk-ins,
although those with appointments are screened first. The Screening
itself is very simple, requiring a minimum amount of time. As the person arrives at your screening location,
a brief history is taken and payment is made. This process takes less than five minutes. There
is no need for the person to undress and he/she then lies on an examination table. The actual screening
involved uses ultrasound to “see” the inside of the carotid arteries that feed blood to the brain and/or the thyroid
gland. There are no needles involved. The employee is
given the results at the time of the screening to take to his/her physician. In the event of a severe blockage
present, the results are faxed to that person’s physician.
|
