Simple Diagnostic Test Reveals Lethal Aneurysms.

More than 1.5 million Americans are walking time bombs, with a serious and almost always fatal condition, and they don't even know it! This condition known as "aneurysms" strike without warning and death is usually immediate. Aneurysms are bulges in weakened artery walls and when these bulges rupture, death occurs 90% of the time. Yet aneurysms may be the most preventable common killer.

An aneurysm can be detected with a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive ultrasound test. When found with this simple testing, 90% of all surgical procedures to correct aneurysms are successful.

There are three types of common aneurysms. The first is the thoracic aortic aneurysm, which is an aneurysm near the heart or thoracic region. You may not hear much about this particular type of killer because thoracic aortic aneurysms are usually labeled as "cardiac events" in sudden, unexplained deaths. Another very common form of aneurysms is the abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a bulge in the aorta in your abdominal wall. And yet a third form is the cerebral aneurysm, which is less predictable than aortic and whose chance of rupture grows with the size of the bulge.

The new technology of CT, MRI and ultrasound testing has produced an estimated 200% increase in the diagnosis of aortic aneurysms. However, most general practitioners never advise patients to get tested, even though aneurysms account for more deaths in the United States than AIDS, prostate cancer or brain cancer.

Unless there is a history of aneurysms in your family, chances are your physician won't prescribe this test, in part because insurance companies rarely pay for a screening and probably will not pay unless you exhibit any symptoms. Unfortunately, all too often, these life threatening bulges or blockages can exist without any signs or symptoms. In fact, most aneurysms are found by accident, during the testing for other conditions, such as cancer or heart disease.

Most aneurysm victims are middle aged or older, but the young are also at risk. Many times, simply because of their age, young family members of aneurysm victims are not tested for this condition and sadly, risk a very preventable and early death. Multiple family members can have this condition; in fact they are considered high-risk.

There are people who definitely should be screened regardless of their age, level of fitness, weight or other general good health.

• All men over 65 should get their abdominal aortas checked and men over 50 who smoke should also do so.
• Men and women over 50 whose parent had an abdominal aortic aneurysm should be tested as should all first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, children) of people with thoracic aortic aneurysms.
• Anyone with two or more family members who had cerebral aneurysm or who died suddenly of unknown causes should be tested immediately.
• People with connective tissue diseases such as Marfan's Syndrome, Polycystic Kidney Disease or Ehler Danlos Syndrome are also susceptible to aneurysms and should request a test.

Because it takes years for aneurysms to develop, the value of your test is longer lasting than that for cancer or other diseases. Adults at risk, such as those listed above, can actually be tested as little as every 5 years.

If you fall into one of the high-risk categories above, you really should be tested immediately. Although there is no prescription required for this screening exam, we encourage you to bring the results to your physician to go over the findings. Your doctor will then be able to keep these results as a part of your permanent medical records.

Windsor Imaging, a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging facility located in the heart of the Treasure Coast, has the most advanced Ultra Sound equipment to detect aneurysms. Just as important, all scans done at Windsor Imaging are read by Board Certified Radiologists who send the results back within a matter of days, unlike out-of-state mobile diagnostic units who advertise results in three weeks. When you're looking at the potential of a life threatening condition, such as aneurysms, you want immediate results. And because Windsor Imaging is a local business with a vested interest in their community, you can trust them to be here tomorrow to quickly respond to yours and your doctors questions or concerns.