Free PVD Screenings

At Waterbury Hospital

WATERBURY –– Waterbury Hospital will host free screenings for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm on September 22 in the Bizzozero Conference Room as a part of “Legs for Life –– National Screening for PVD Leg Pain.”

 PVD is caused by blocked blood flow in the arteries of the legs or arms due to a buildup of plaque. Signs of PVD are pain or cramping in the leg while walking that subsides when the person rests, numbness or tingling in the lower legs and feet, swelling in the legs, and skin discoloration. People who are most at risk are those who are older than 50, diabetic, overweight, smokers, or those who have high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

 Space is limited. Appointments are required by calling 203-573-7385.

 The PVD screening is quick and painless. The screening involves completing a brief lifestyle questionnaire and having a person’s blood pressure in the arms and ankles compared. Those who are at risk are encouraged to see their doctors for further testing and possible treatment.

 About ten million people suffer from PVD, which can be a sign of other cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack, stroke, or an aneurysm. With early detection, PVD can be effectively treated either medically or through diet and exercise, thus preventing serious complications.

 During “Legs for Life,” Waterbury Hospital also will screen people who have abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) risk factors. AAA is a weakening or ballooning of the aorta, the main vessel that delivers blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The walls of the aorta become increasingly weak and if the aneurysm grows large enough, it could burst.

 The AAA screening includes another questionnaire and a possible pain-free ultrasound to detect weakened areas of the main blood vessel, the aorta. At the highest risk for AAA are men age 60 or older who have ever smoked, and/or who have a history of plaque buildup in the blood vessels, people with a family history of AAA, or having high cholesterol or high blood pressure.