The Life-Saving Benefits of Vascular Screenings

As we age, protecting our vascular health is just as important as monitoring our cardiac health, yet many people (including many cardiologists) completely overlook the vascular system and vascular screenings — until it’s too late. The heart is of course part of the vascular system, but the vascular system is much MORE than just the heart; it refers to the entire network of blood vessels throughout your body — the heart being the organ that pumps blood through those vessels. Many vascular diseases, separate and apart from heart disease, develop silently, showing no symptoms until they reach dangerous or even fatal stages. Fortunately, vascular screenings, though most people never get them, are available to most people for free to help detect serious conditions early.

What Are Vascular Screenings?

There are many different types of vascular screenings — they use noninvasive ultrasound technology to evaluate the health of your arteries and veins. Unlike traditional cardiac tests such as stress tests, cardiac catheterizations, and echocardiograms, which are done by cardiologists and focus solely on the heart, vascular screenings are done by specialized vascular physicians and assess the entire vascular and circulatory system, helping detect:

• Carotid artery disease – Narrowing of the carotid arteries, which increases the risk of stroke.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) – A condition affecting blood flow to the limbs, often leading to pain, numbness, or even amputations if untreated. According to the American Heart Association, more than 8.5 million Americans have PAD, but many are unaware of their condition.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) – A dangerous enlargement of the aorta that can rupture without warning, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. According to a recent report about abdominal aortic aneurysms, the prevalence in the United States is estimated to be between 2–13 percent of men and around 6 percent of women over the age of 65, with the rate significantly increasing with age, particularly in males. Medicare pays for a onetime, AAA ultrasound screening for people who have never received Medicare coverage for AAA screenings and who are at risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. You will not have to pay anything for having the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening done if you:
  • Are considered at risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm;
  • Have a referral from your doctor (which is required); and
  • Have the screening done by a medical professional that accepts Medicare.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – A blood clot in the veins, which can cause fatal pulmonary embolisms if it travels to the lungs. According to a recent article about deep vein thrombosis, DVT affects around 1 in 1000 people per year; meaning the lifetime risk of developing DVT is between 2–5 percent. This may be a relatively low prevalence, but the risk increases significantly with age and certain medical conditions.

The good news? Early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications.

Who Should Get Screened?

You should strongly consider a vascular screening if you:

✅ Are over age 60
✅ Have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol
✅ Smoke or have a history of smoking
✅ Have a family history of aneurysms or vascular disease
✅ Have leg pain, numbness, or swelling

These risk factors increase the likelihood of developing vascular disease, making regular screenings an essential step in preventive healthcare.

Where to Get a Vascular Screening

Virginia Residents:

• The Vascular Services Team at Inova provides every type of vascular screening available and has 16 vascular interventional radiologists dedicated to these screenings. Your insurance may or may not cover these screenings, depending on your family history and risk factors.
• As always, check with your doctor for a referral and more information.

Maryland Residents:

• The Dare to C.A.R.E. program offers free vascular screenings in Maryland only.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine Heart and Vascular Institute provides vascular screenings at multiple locations in Maryland.

Washington, DC Residents:

• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy.
• George Washington University Hospital Center does not appear to have a Vascular Screening Center, but it does have a Heart & Vascular Institute as part of its School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The Legal and Financial Side of Vascular Health

As an Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney, I understand that medical emergencies can have significant legal and financial implications. If a vascular screening detects a condition requiring ongoing care, do you have the right legal protections in place? Do you have:

• An Advance Medical Directive to ensure that your health care wishes are honored if you become incapacitated?
• A Financial Power of Attorney to appoint a lineup of trusted individuals to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated?
• Trust and Estate Planning to protect your estate from the nightmare of after-death probate?
• Long-Term Care Planning to protect your assets while securing access to necessary treatments and care?

At the Farr Law Firm, we help clients prepare for both expected and unexpected medical challenges. Being proactive about your health and legal planning ensures peace of mind for you and your family.

Take Control of Your Health – Get Screened Today

Vascular screenings are painless, quick, and often free or covered by insurance. Don’t wait until symptoms appear — early detection can be life-saving.

Schedule your vascular screening today! Visit the links above, or contact your health care provider to find a screening location near you.

Stay proactive. Stay prepared. Stay healthy.