Vascular Disease Screening

If you have a family history of vascular disease or other risk factors, it’s important to be proactive about your health. Screenings from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health help detect three common vascular diseases earlier so that you can receive timely care.

Vascular disease affects the health of your arteries and veins. Advanced vascular disease can limit or disrupt blood flow, causing potentially life-threatening issues. We use research-based vascular screening methods to detect signs of disease and help more people avoid complications. 

Highlights of our program include: 

• Convenience: If you are at risk for vascular disease, your provider refers you to our team for screening. Tests are available in multiple locations throughout the Puget Sound, making it easier to fit them into your busy schedule.  

• Accuracy: Our vascular labs are recognized by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for providing high-quality testing. Accreditation means we conduct precise screenings that enable us to confirm or rule out vascular disease with confidence. Find out more about vascular testing and monitoring.

• Comprehensive approach: If you test positive for vascular disease, we review the results and determine the next steps of your treatment. You may need advanced testing or medical therapies. For severe cases, we may recommend a procedure to repair or widen blood vessels. Learn more about vascular disease treatments.

Vascular screenings help detect the early signs of:

• Carotid artery disease: Narrowing of the neck arteries that supply the brain with oxygen-rich blood
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Weak spot in the lower half of the aorta, the large blood vessel that delivers blood from the heart to the rest of the body
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Narrowing or blockages in blood vessels of the legs

Registered vascular technologists perform screening tests that may include: 

• Ankle-brachial index: We measure blood pressure in your arm and ankle. Pressure that is lower in your ankle than in your arm can be a sign of vascular disease. 
• Ultrasound: This imaging study uses sound waves to check for blood vessel narrowing or aneurysms. We place a small device called a transducer against your skin, and real-time images of your blood vessels appear on a nearby monitor.

Screening for abdominal aneurysm may be right for you if you are 65 or older. You may need screening earlier if you have a family history of vascular disease.

Your doctor may recommend carotid artery disease screening if you are 60 or older and: 

• Have a personal history of hypertension or coronary artery disease
• Have a first-degree relative who has had a stroke 
• Are a current smoker 

You may benefit from screening at an earlier age if you have risk factors and your provider recommends it.

Here’s what you can expect: 

1. Your provider (primary care physician, cardiologist or other specialist) refers you for vascular screening. 
2. We perform an ankle-brachial index or ultrasound in one of our vascular labs.
3. A vascular disease specialist examines the results and shares them with the referring provider.
4. If you need additional vascular testing, we put you in touch with a specialist who can help you.

Learn more about testing and treatment and schedule an appointment.