3 Vascular Screenings That Could Save Your Life Before 60

Most people don’t think about the health of their arteries until something goes wrong — a stroke, a clot, a ruptured aneurysm. By then, the disease behind it has usually developed for years without a single symptom. 

In 2023, about 1 in 6 cardiovascular deaths in the United States occurred in adults younger than 65. Many of those deaths involved conditions a screening could’ve caught years earlier.

Syed W. Bokhari, MD, FACC, FSVM, a board-certified cardiologist at Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. in Riverside, California, offers vascular screenings that detect these conditions early. Here are three that can identify serious problems while they’re still treatable.

1. Ankle-brachial index for peripheral artery disease

Plaque doesn’t just collect in the arteries around your heart. It also builds in the vessels feeding your legs, gradually choking off circulation. 

More than 12 million Americans have peripheral artery disease, and because the early stages produce little or no discomfort, most don’t find out until the disease has advanced.

The ankle-brachial index, or ABI, detects it by measuring blood pressure at two points on your body: once at your arm and once at your ankle. When the ankle reading is noticeably lower, it signals that something is restricting flow to your lower limbs.

Consider this screening if any of the following apply to you:

• Current or past smoking
• Diabetes
• Elevated blood pressure or cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disease in your family
• Cramping or fatigue in your legs when you walk

PAD found early can be managed with medication, exercise, and risk factor control. Left alone, it can progress to wounds that won’t heal, tissue damage, and a sharply elevated risk of heart attack and stroke.

1. Carotid ultrasound for stroke risk

Two large arteries in the neck, one on each side, deliver most of the brain’s blood supply. When plaque accumulates along their walls, pieces can break off and block blood flow to the brain, causing a TIA or stroke. Many people have significant carotid narrowing with no idea it’s there.

A carotid ultrasound maps the inside of these arteries using sound waves. It shows Dr. Bokhari the artery walls, any plaque deposits, and how freely blood moves through the vessel. The test is painless and takes roughly half an hour.

This screening becomes more relevant with risk factors such as:

• Elevated blood pressure
• Diabetes or cholesterol problems
• Current or past smoking
• Stroke or carotid disease in your family
• Any prior TIA symptoms, even brief ones

Identifying narrowing before a stroke occurs opens up treatment options, from medication and close monitoring to procedures that clear or bypass the blockage.

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

Your aorta runs from your heart through your abdomen, and it carries more blood volume than any other vessel in your body. An aneurysm forms when part of the aortic wall weakens and balloons outward. 

An abdominal ultrasound can spot an aneurysm by measuring the aorta’s diameter. The test is painless and quick. 

Federal screening guidelines target men ages 65-75 with a smoking history, but people with a family history of aneurysms, other vascular disease, or persistent high blood pressure may benefit from screening earlier. Dr. Bokhari can advise you on timing based on your risk.

The danger with aortic aneurysms is that they grow silently. Screening is the only reliable method to detect an aneurysm, and finding one early enough means monitoring and, if needed, planned repair rather than an emergency.

Why screening before 60 can improve your outcome

A CDC analysis using 2021-2023 data found that roughly 34.5% of adults 40-59 already carried two or more cardiovascular risk factors. 

Arterial damage doesn’t always cause symptoms when it’s easiest to treat. By the time you feel something, the window for simple intervention has often narrowed considerably. These three screenings are quick, painless, and designed to catch conditions during that window. 

Schedule a vascular screening in Riverside, California

Finding out where you stand takes less time than most people expect. To discuss which screenings fit your risk profile, call Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. at 951-682-6900 or request an appointment online today.