Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital participates in the Legs for Life screening program, a national program launched by the Society of Interventional Radiology. This health screening program identifies people at risk for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).

A team of volunteers staffs the Legs for Life event including radiologists Michael Basse, MD, Giles Duesdieker, MD, and Chris Glenn, MD, nurses and ultrasound technicians. Members of the Service League assist with registration. “The screening is painless—we use the same device that we use for testing blood pressure and we use ultrasound technology,” says Dr. Basse.

One of many health screenings, community lectures and outreach programs that the staff of the Health Promotion Department manages, Legs for Life offers an important “safety check” for people who may be at risk for PVD and AAA. “Last year, 137 people participated in the screenings and 53 were referred to physicians for further consultation,” says Molly Joest, Director of Health Promotion. “People with risk factors and those who do have symptoms, should talk with their doctors, and register for the free Legs for Life screening program.”

PVD affects about one in 20 people over age 50 or 10 million people in the U.S. and AAA occurs in 5 to 7 percent of people in the U.S. over age 60. PVD is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the arms and legs become narrow or clogged. This interferes with normal blood flow and puts people at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. An aneurysm is a bulge in the artery that can rupture if untreated, and the most common location is in the abdomen. Men are at least 4 times more likely to have AAA than women. Approximately one in every 250 people over the age of 50 will die of a ruptured AAA. 1

“Outreach and screenings are important parts of the healthcare we provide,” says David Perrott, MD, Senior Vice President/Medical Director for Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital . “Early detection saves lives. We are proud to offer the Legs for Life screening at no cost to people in our communities.”

PVD and AAA

Peripheral Vascular Disease

The risk of PVD is higher for people who:

• are over age 50
• smoke
• have diabetes
• are overweight
• do not exercise
• have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• have a family history of heart or vascular disease

• leg or hip pain during walking or exercise that stops when resting
• numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs
• burning or aching pain in the feet or toes when resting
• sore(s) on the leg or foot that doesn't heal
• cold legs or feet
• color change in the skin on the legs or feet
• loss of hair on legs

The risk of AAA is higher for men (men are 4 times more likely to have AAA than women) and for people who:

• are over age 60
• have atherosclerosis (clogging or “hardening” of the arteries)
• have high blood pressure
• smoke
• have a family history of AAA

Symptoms

AAA is often a silent disease and many people do not have any symptoms, especially when the aneurysm is small. If there are symptoms, the most common ones are:

• intense abdominal pain that may be constant or come and go
• pain in the lower back that may radiate to the buttocks, groin or legs
• feeling of a heart beat or pulse in the abdomen
• fatigue
• a soft mass can sometimes be felt in the abdomen

A ruptured aneurysm is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care. If an aneurysm expands quickly, tears open, bursts or leaks, more severe symptoms can develop suddenly. Symptoms may include:

• severe pain that begins suddenly
• paleness
• rapid pulse
• dry mouth/skin and excessive thirst
• anxiety
• nausea and vomiting
• lightheadedness or fainting
• excessive sweating or clammy skin
• shock 

Legs for Life
Held in September yearly (2007- 9/18 & 19), 4-8 p.m. For first time participants only. By appointment. Call 759-1890 to register. Events include a free screenings.