A stroke can occur out of the blue . . .
At least “out of the blue” is how they seem to occur most people.
I’ve seen these events happen to hundreds of people over the two decades of my medical career.
Yet, what many people don’t realize is that a stroke is the end result of decades of damage to a blood vessel wall . . .
Oxidization of the LDL particles day in and day out . . .
Slow deposition of those small dense LDL oxidized cholesterol particles bound by monocytes and foam cells just below the arterial wall . . .
Thickening the walls of the arteries of the neck and brain . . .
Forming the growth of artery-clogging plaque . . .
A veritable “pimple” on the inside of the arterial wall . . .
Leading to an unstable fibrous cap . . .
With a lipid rich necrotic center core . . .
On the verge of rupture into the artery.
When this rupture occurs red cells and platelet immediately surround the rupture causing a thrombus, a blockage that floats downstream with the artery blocking a small artery in the brain . . . in mild cases a transient ischemic attack (a TIA) that resolves within 24 hours.
In more serious cases, a stroke. Where tissues and cells of the brain downstream from the embolic blockage cannot get blood (they experience ischemia) and die.
Which brings up the question . . .
Is there an early warning test for strokes?
Yes. There actually is.
A simple test call the carotid artery ultrasound can detect the build-up of cholesterol-filled plaques in the carotid arteries of the neck. These are the arteries that deliver blood to the brain.
A carotid ultrasound is a quick, safe and easy test that uses sound waves to visualize the arteries and that can see thickening of the artery walls and any blockage inside the blood vessels.
If plaque in the arteries is identified, it can easily be reversed.
You need this information to stay healthy. You need to know if you’re at risk for a stroke.
If you are 40 years or older, have a family history of stroke, have prediabetes, diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to be screened every 1-2 years.
I perform this test myself in my office if you are at risk.
You can get a Carotid Ultrasound completed by me in the office and at a 50% discount as part of our Direct Primary Care Membership.
It is also part of our yearly longevity screening covered under our Concierge Membership.
The Longevity Screening ($2500 Value) –
It is a comprehensive body screening that provides assessment for stroke and cardiovascular disease risks, as well as for other chronic conditions such as dementia, liver disease, kidney disease, cancer and diabetes. This screening is recommended for adults over 40 years old interested in their longevity risk.
The benefit of testing in our office versus other “Life Screens” around the valley is that rather than just giving you a “Positive” or “Negative” score that requires being repeated to determine the actual results, our office will give you actual diagnostic information, risk assessment and give you at treatment plan for those abnormalities.
Cardiovascular Disease Screening –
- Carotid artery screen (Carotid Ultrasound – $410 value)
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screen (Abdominal Ultrasound – $100 value)
- Atrial fibrillation screen (EKG – $75 value)
- Peripheral Artery Disease Screening (ANS test with ABI – $290 value)
- Neuropathy Screening (ANS test with ABI – $290 value)
- Comprehensive Cholesterol Panel (NMR Lipo-profile with Lipid – $150 value) usually covered by your insurance
- Insulin and C-reactive protein screen (Blood draw – $10 value) usually covered by your insurance
Memory Health –
- Cognitrax memory test ($390 value)
- MRI of the Brain (completed in the presence of specific disease states including memory changes)
Liver Disease & Kidney Disease ($300 value) –
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Elevated Liver Enzyme test
- HbA1c & Insulin
- Kidney function, Liver function and C-reactive protein
Cancer –
- Prostate Cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Testosterone
- Progesterone/Estrogen Ratio
Bone and Joint –
- Osteoporosis risk (Progesterone, estrogen, testosterone)
- Vitamin D
- Bone Health
Individualized Risk and Treatment Recommendation
- Comprehensive review of all this information with Dr. Nally to determine your vascular disease risk
There’s nothing like knowing you’ve mitigated your risk of heart disease and stroke by knowing your risk for vascular disease.
Call the office today to schedule your Carotid Ultrasound or Longevity Screening. We’re waiting to hear from you.
Order Your Comprehensive Longevity Screen Now