By Helena Tavares Kennedy
Sentara is offering two very important, potentially lifesaving, screenings over the next few months:
“Know Your Numbers” Screening
Knowing your critical health numbers is a crucial step in assessing your risk of developing heart disease. Why? Many times, there are no symptoms and without being tested you may have no way of knowing that you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Sentara is offering a “Know Your Numbers” event that includes complimentary screening of blood pressure, calculation of BMI, measurement of cholesterol and HbA1c levels (blood sugar) and an optional pocket EKG screening is available for $20.
The next “Know Your Numbers” event is Saturday, Feb. 17 from 8:30 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. at the Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge. Registration is required. To register or cancel a registration, please contact 1-800-SENTARA (1-800-736-8272).
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening
Have you been in the middle of a walk or exercising at the gym and you all of a sudden get leg pain? And then it disappears after a few more minutes of exercising? It might not just be a sore muscle but Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD.
PAD affects the body’s blood vessels, especially in arms, legs, feet and hands. Less blood reaching the muscles in the legs is what makes them hurt. In addition to leg pain, other symptoms of PAD can include: numbness and tingling in the lower legs and feet; coldness in the lower legs and feet, or ulcers or sores on the legs or feet that don’t heal. About 12% of adults have PAD, it is more common in those with diabetes and those who have smoked, and it can eventually lead to heart attack or stroke.
Sentara is trying to help people who might have PAD before it gets that serious with their free PAD screenings. The screening is for adults who are not currently being treated for PAD. If you are not already being treated for PAD and have one or more risk factors, then you are eligible to participate in this free screening.
Here are the specific risk factors that make the development of PAD more likely:
- You have coronary artery disease
- You have diabetes
- You currently smoke cigarettes or have smoked in the past
- You have high blood pressure
- You have high blood cholesterol
- Your blood has elevated levels of homocysteine
- You are over 70 years old
The next PAD Screening is Saturday, April 21 from 8:30 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. at the Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge. Registration is required. To register or cancel a registration, please contact 1-800-SENTARA (1-800-736-8272).
If you are unable to attend this screening but would like to be seen by a PAD specialist, please call 1-800-SENTARA (1-800-736-8272) for referral to the appropriate specialist.
Sentara is a progressive and integrated healthcare organization with various locations in Prince William County. They are dedicated to providing leading medical experts, advanced technology and continuous innovation to improve health every day. For more information, visit sentara.com.
Helena Tavares Kennedy (hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com) is a Contributing Writer for Prince William Living.
