Question
I see screening offers for heart health and stroke risk. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?
Answer
These packages can be reliable and helpful, but it depends. This type of screening usually involves ultrasound imaging of the heart and blood vessels, and the reliability of the testing depends on the skill of the ultrasonographer. It is important that the screening is being offered by an established cardiovascular program that is experienced in this type of evaluation.
Regarding whether or not this type of screening is helpful, it can be since it can pick up cardiovascular problems in the early stages. With this type of detailed screening, however, one has to be prepared to deal with other "incidental findings" that may or may not be important. These finding can lead to more testing that may or may not be necessary.
Before going ahead with screening, I would recommend getting a detailed description of the testing, along with what specifically is being looked for. I would also inquire as to whether or not you have access to a health care professional that can help interpret potential "incidental findings."