Screening Process

Determining a person's cardiovascular risk takes about 1 hour. A short questionnaire about family history is first completed. A blood cholesterol is measured from blood taken from a finger prick. The type of cholesterol being measured does not require that a person be fasting. Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. An ultrasound machine is then used to measure the lining of the carotid artery (Intima-Medica-Thickness). All of this information is then combined to determine a person's risk of heart attack or stroke. A doctor then reviews the risk with you, and can answer questions and offer suggestions about how to reduce your risk.