Stroke screenings to be available for Bloomington

Area residents will soon have the opportunity to participate in a medical screening that will assess the risk of stroke. \n"Our main goal is to provide people a service they don't have access to," said Paula Motolik, public relations leader for Life Line Screening.\nLife Line Screening, which was established in 1993, is now the nation's leading provider of vascular screenings. The company operates through equipment-furnished vans that travel to communities where temporary screening clinics are set up for area residents. Life Line Screening will be available for screenings in Bloomington July 19 at the Second Baptist Church, 321 N. Rogers St. \n"A stroke is essentially a brain attack," said IU anatomy professor Valerie O'Loughlin.\nA stroke can be a dangerous medical condition that often goes undetected. By taking part in a screening, individuals can determine their risk assessment.\nMotolik said Life Line Screening will "allow people to take advantage of this on their own and then take the results to their family doctor." \nStrokes are the third leading cause of death in the world and second among women. While strokes can occur at any age, "45 and above is typically the age range to find the things we screen for," Motolik said.\nIf a younger person presents risk factors, they can be screened as well. Risk factors include high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise. \n"Essentially many of the risk factors for heart attacks are for strokes, too," O'Loughlin said.\nScreenings are painless, require less than 10 minutes and use ultrasound technology to scan for factors that can identify potential dangers. \nIn a July 6 Life Line press release, Wabash, Ind., resident Peg Yarnelle said, "We are so thankful and feel so fortunate for the Life Line Screening program. Perhaps it saved my husbands life."\nMany people who undergo medical screenings will be found clear of risk, but a small percentage will be referred to the physician of their choice for further screening to begin treating factors that could be potentially deadly. Of those who have participated in Life Line screenings, "8 to 10 percent are found to have something of significance," Motolik said. "It could be something moderate or severe." \nThose patients are advised to discuss screening results with their physician. The physican can then continue further treatment.\n"Two to 3 percent are critical or severe," Motolik said. \nThose patients who are at a critical or severe risk level are advised to see a physician right away. Immediate treatment can then begin. \n"If it's caused by a blood clot, some emergency rooms can give medication to break up the clot," O'Loughlin said. \nThe cost of a complete vascular screening package is $99. For the complete vascular screening package, including an osteoporosis screening, the price is $125. Registration is required for the screenings. For appointments or more information regarding Life Line Screenings call 1-(800)-643-6188.\n -- Contact staff writer Aaron Cooke at akcooke@indiana.edu