Regular vascular screenings can detect PVD, a potentially serious circulatory problem

For Immediate Release	Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan
April 1, 2008	508-961-5270
	brennanj@southcoast.org
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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group is sponsoring a series of free vascular screenings to be held on Tuesdays, April 29, May 13, 27, and June 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Luke's Hospital, 101 Page Street, New Bedford.

Appointments are required and can be requested by calling 800-497-1727. Space is limited and appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. No walk-ins will be accepted on screening days.

The screenings are basic vascular screenings that can help detect a condition called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The non-invasive screenings are performed by a trained nurse and take approximately 20 minutes. Patients should arrive 15 minutes prior to screening time.

What is PVD?

According to the American Heart Association, PVD occurs mainly in the vessels that carry blood to the leg and arm muscles. If left untreated, PVD can result in peripheral artery disease (PAD) a condition that puts people at higher risk of death from stroke and heart attack due to the risk of blood clots.

"Because the symptoms of PVD usually disappear after rest, many sufferers do not seek help because they believe their pain is a normal part of growing older," said Gail Perzentz, RN, who conducts the screenings at St. Luke's Hospital. "Regular vascular screenings can detect PVD, a potentially serious circulatory problem characterized by an ache, pain or cramping in the legs, calves or buttocks while walking or exercising." For more information on PVD, www.americanheart.org.

About Southcoast

Southcoast Health System is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty and heart rhythm services, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery, orthopedic surgery and advanced imaging services. Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of the community to provide services.

More information is available onlinwww.southcoast.org.

Media Contact

Joyce Faria Brennan
Public Information Officer
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org