Cardiovascular Associates of Greenville, P.A. believes prevention is the most important aspect in cardiovascular healthcare. To keep you on the right track towards a healthy heart, we offer a variety of cardiovascular screenings used in the early detection of potential cardiac related problems. Cardiovascular screening is a painless, noninvasive ultrasound procedure don in our office and takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The equipment we use is state-of-the art, our technologists are experienced and credentialed in vascular ultrasound, and our physician is trained and has many years experience in both cardiac and vascular medicine. Thus, you can be assured that the screening services we offer are of the highest quality.

Why Are Screenings Important and Should I Have One?

Carotid artery stenosis may be silent with no symptoms until stroke or mini-stroke occur. Stroke is now the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Screening of the carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain allows for early detection of narrowing of these arteries. A blockage in these arteries could result in stroke. If narrowing is found, treatment can be undertaken to lower the risk of stroke. If you have hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary artery disease or smoke, you could be at risk for developing carotid artery stenosis.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm can occur without symptoms and is frequently not detected by clinical exam. An ultrasound scan of the abdominal aorta can detect the presence of an aneurysm or "bulge" in the blood vessel; if left untreated, the blood vessel could rupture and result in death. Screening allows for early detection of an aneurysm and if found, management can be undertaken to lower the risk of rupture and possible death. If you are over age 65, have a history of smoking, have hypertension, or even a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm, you may be at risk.

Peripheral artery screening (PAD) is the result of a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the legs. This narrowing could ultimately lead to blockage. There frequently are no symptoms of narrowed arteries and clinical diagnosis is usually made at a late stage. Doppler ultrasound is used to detect decreased pressure in the legs which could indicate a narrowing or blockage in these arteries. The presence of PAD indicates an increased risk for coronary artery disease and heart attack. If you have hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or a history of smoking, you could be at risk for development of peripheral artery disease.

An Echocardiogram screening or "ultrasound of the heart" provides valuable information regarding valve function, heart muscle pumping function at rest, and can detect signs of heart failure or a prior heart attack. Early detection of problems with the heart can lower your risk of suffering a heart attack or death in the future due to heart disease. If you have hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary artery disease, history of smoking, or a family history of heart attack, you could be at risk for developing heart disease.