For Immediate Release:
February 15, 2012

Southcoast announces free vascular screenings in March

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group announces free vascular screenings during the month of March.

Regular vascular screenings can detect peripheral artery disease, or PAD, a potentially serious circulatory problem. The non-invasive screenings are performed by a trained nurse and take approximately 20 minutes. Patients should arrive 15 minutes prior to screening time.

The free vascular screenings are open to both men and women. Appointments are required and can be requested by calling the numbers listed below. 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 screening details are as follows:

• Southcoast Center for Women's Health, 300B Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth, on Wednesday, March 7. Appointments will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Please call 800-276-0103 to schedule an appointment.

• Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, 206 Mill Road in Fairhaven, on Thursday, March 8. Appointments will be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please call 800-276-0103 to schedule an appointment.

• Southcoast Health System at Rosebrook, 100 Rosebrook Way in Wareham, on Monday, March 12. Appointments will be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please call 800-276-0103 to schedule an appointment.

• Rochester Council on Aging, 67 Dexter Lane in Rochester on Tuesday, March 13. Appointments will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please call 508-763-8723 to schedule an appointment.

• Southcoast Center for Women's Health, 300B Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth, on Wednesday, March 21. Appointments will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Please call 800-276-0103 to schedule an appointment.

• Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, 206 Mill Road in Fairhaven, on Thursday, March 22. Appointments will be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please call 800-276-0103 to schedule an appointment.

• Southcoast Health System at Rosebrook, 100 Rosebrook Way in Wareham, on Monday, March 26. Appointments will be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please call 800-276-0103 to schedule an appointment.

Southcoast offers a full range of endovascular services to both diagnose and treat vascular disease. The hospitals offer the very latest technology — including minimally invasive procedures — along with the expertise of highly trained surgeons, interventional radiologists and staff nurses and technologists. St. Luke's and Charlton hospitals also have new state-of-the-art endovascular suites.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has PAD. It develops when arteries in your legs become clogged with plaque — fatty deposits that limit blood flow to your legs. Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs mean you are at risk for having a heart attack or stroke.

Timely detection and treatment of PAD can improve the quality of your life; help you keep your independence and mobility; and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, leg amputation, and even death. PAD is detected with regular vascular screenings.

In Southeastern Massachusetts the risks of developing PAD are higher due to the aging population and high incidence of people with diabetes, obesity and who smoke.

For more information on Southcoast's endovascular services call 800-276-0103 or www.southcoast.org/endovascular/.