Sacred Heart Medical Park on Highway 90 in Pace is offering free screenings for aortic aneurysms. These exams may be scheduled by calling 416-2940 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Individuals 40 and older can make their own appointments and do not have to rely on their physician to make the appointment or order the screening. The screening procedure is done to assess the size of the abdominal aorta and look for aneurysms – weak spots or bulges in an artery that may develop without symptoms. The screening is a simple ultrasound procedure, which lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Results will be available immediately. Participants should not eat or drink anything for four hours prior to their scheduled appointment.

Aneurysms often grow over time and the risk increases that they will rupture and cause severe bleeding or sudden death. Aortic aneurysms rarely produce symptoms. By detecting aneurysms at an early stage, physicians are able to monitor their growth and treat them before they rupture.

Individuals at highest risk for aortic aneurysms are white males and those who have a history of smoking, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, high cholesterol, diabetes or a family history.

Aortic aneurysm screenings also are available at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. For more information about the interventional and diagnostic imaging services of Sacred Heart Hospital, visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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