When it comes to your “health numbers,” your two blood pressure values are important to know—and keep under control. Millions of Americans have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is the most common risk factor for heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure can also lead to kidney failure, aneurysm (weakening or bulging […]

Heart disease strikes someone in the U.S. about once every 34 seconds and claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined.  While men are struck with heart disease at a generally younger age, women have a greater risk of death. In honor of American Heart Month, Ultrasound Laboratories, Inc and SmartHealth Screening is helping […]

Power Doppler, carotid artery, stroke screening Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. will suffer from stroke this year, and over 130,000 will die. Many more will be seriously or permanently disabled. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., yet common misperceptions prevent those at risk from taking steps to help prevent […]

Congestive heart failure isn’t really a complete diagnosis, but actually a condition in which the heart muscle is failing to function or pump normally. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty lying flat, sudden weight gain, and swollen extremities and abdominal bloating from fluid retention. Fluid can accumulate in the legs due to weakness […]

What Are My Options for Non-invasive Treatments for Varicose Veins? Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged, and painful veins that fill with blood. They usually develop in the legs and are raised above the surface of the skin. They are not life-threatening, but can cause discomfort and may be unsightly. Some people with venous valve reflux […]

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are often found on the thighs, backs of the calves, or the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose […]

Ultrasound Practitioners By Joyce Ward, CNMT, RT(N) With the rapid growth in the number and types of ultrasound procedures being conducted, a growing number of experts believe there is a need for someone to perform and/or interpret ultra sound examinations. Anticipating that an “ultrasound practitioner” could fill this role, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers […]

A thrombus is a blood clot that forms inside a vessel. The most common sites are the veins of the arms and legs. Anything that restricts exercise and good circulation increases the risk of these clots. Recent hip or knee surgery, smoking, pregnancy and prolonged bed rest are risk factors. Travelers are susceptible, due to […]

Heart Disease: What you need to know  Did you know that, in the United States, more women die of coronary heart disease each year than men? While the past 40 years have seen a reduction in heart attacks in men, the same has not held true for women. According to the American Heart Association – AHA, Heart […]

People who develop Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are at more than twice the usual risk for Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD); reveal US study findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine. A meta-analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) shows that AF was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk for SCD (defined as death […]