Vascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the United States, yet is generally asymptomatic until a catastrophic event occurs, such as a stroke or aneurysm rupture. Although preventive screening is available, millions of Americans at risk for stroke or death from vascular disorders remain unaware of their risk. The Centegra Wellness on the Move mobile health unit offers a comprehensive vascular screening package to check the risk of stroke and heart disease.

The mobile health unit has technicians and equipment that help to screen and diagnose health problems at many stages and promotes education, while building awareness and responsibility for one’s own health.

Centegra’s vascular screening program provides immediate preliminary results on the following tests:

• Ultrasound images of the carotid artery to detect plaque buildup
• Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) measurements to detect blockage risk and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• Heart rhythm EKG readout to detect Atrial Fibrillation
• Risk level for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Body Mass Index (BMI), pulse and blood pressure numbers

All results are completely confidential. Follow-up reports completed by a Centegra Health System radiologist are mailed to the patient within one week so he or she can easily share the information with a physician.

Upcoming dates and locations are as follows:

• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 at Centegra Physician Care-Crystal Lake, 360 Station Drive
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11 at Centegra Physician Care-Huntley, 10350 Haligus Road
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center-Crystal Lake, 200 Congress Parkway
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 at Centegra Physician Care-Woodstock, 3707 Doty Road
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24 at Centegra Physician Care-Crystal Lake, 360 Station Drive
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center-Huntley, 10450 Algonquin Road

According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, 137,000 people die annually from this disorder. A large proportion of strokes are caused by plaque in the carotid arteries. In 2010, it was estimated that Americans would pay about $73.7 billion for stroke-related medical costs and disability.

In addition to the screenings, on Sunday, Sept. 9, Centegra Health System joins the Midwest Stroke Action Alliance and Chicago White Sox for Strike Out Stroke, an afternoon of baseball and stroke awareness activities at U.S. Cellular Field. The game begins at 1:10 PM. Purchase tickets today at www.whitesox.com/strikeoutstroke.

Local stroke survivors of all ages will be honored. Fans will hear first-hand how each has been impacted by the third leading cause of death and why they choose to raise awareness through their personal experiences.

A stroke is a brain attack that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. It is also up to 80 percent preventable. The first step to prevention is identifying if you have any controllable and uncontrollable risk factors and begin to manage them. Stroke is an emergency. Treatment may be available if a person reaches the hospital in time. Recognizing warning signs can be easy if you remember to think FAST:

F= Face	Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A=Arms	Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S=Speech	Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T=Time	If you observe any of these signs, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.

Make a smart move and find out about the risk for heart disease. Cost is $129 for all tests. For a screening appointment, call 877-CENTEGRA (236-8347). This screening is part of Centegra’s Pearls for Wellness program where women can receive a pearl for participating in select health and wellness programs. To learn more, visit centegra.org/pearl.