Contact:  Michele Ritter
(941) 629-1181 x6585

Fawcett Memorial Hospital to Host a Free Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) screening

Port Charlotte, FL, November 10, 2006 -- In a continuing effort to detect and treat peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in its early stages, Fawcett Memorial Hospital will host a free Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) screening program for the community on Saturday, November 18, 2006.

Participants will answer a brief questionnaire to assess their risk for PVD. At-risk patients will also be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with an abbreviated abdominal ultrasound exam. Fawcett Memorial’s qualified staff will determine the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) for signs of circulatory problems.

This screening is designed for people with undiagnosed PVD or AAA. Those who are currently seeing a physician or surgeon for either of these conditions are not candidates for the screening.

Participants will meet with a Fawcett Memorial Hospital physician to discuss their results. Those with multiple risk factors and symptoms, and those with abnormal ABIs, will be advised to visit their primary care physician.

The screening will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Fawcett Memorial Hospital. The screening is FREE but registration is required. Registration is limited and fills quickly.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling (941) 624-4441.

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