Health Screenings Identify Risk For Stroke And Heart Disease

Danbury Hospital’s Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory conducted free health screenings at Heritage Village in Southbury and at the Ballard Green Community Room in Ridgefield this year to identify people who may have arterial abnormalities that can lead to stroke, peripheral vascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or other cardiovascular disorders.

 The screenings involve no needles, dyes, or medications and take about 20 minutes. Patients need no preparation other than fasting for the abdominal aortic aneurysm portion of the screening

Members of the hospital’s noninvasive vascular lab screened more than 140 people in the two screenings.

“We were extremely pleased with the screenings,” said Luz Guzman-Restrepo, technical director of the lab. “In addition to raising awareness of these serious conditions, we identified several individuals who needed referral to their physicians. We found a large aneurysm, severe vascular stenoses, and other conditions which can be treated effectively when detected early.”

Danbury Hospital’s Vascular Lab has earned accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Laboratories in all five areas of vascular testing.

“One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease disorders of the heart and blood vessels,” said Alan M. Dietzek, MD, director of the lab and chief of vascular surgery at the hospital. “These free screenings are one part of our effort to reach out into the communities we serve to provide early detection of these life-threatening vascular diseases.”

For information about vascular testing and services at Danbury Hospital, call 797-7106 or visit danburyhospital.org.