Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Stroke screening
Introduction
Overview
Overview
There are several screening tests for high-risk patients to detect and prevent stroke: Carotid Artery Ultrasound, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening, Atrial Fibrillation, Peripheral Artery Disease.
Screening
Screening
It is suggested to use a variety of tests and assessments to detect high-risk patients and prevent stroke events. The tools are as follows:
- Carotid Artery Ultrasound: Ultrasound is used to image the carotid arteries in the neck to detect blockages that may lead to a stroke.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening: This screening looks at abnormal bulging in the wall of the main artery in the abdomen. Abnormal bulging may lead to rupture if not detected. Less than 40% of individuals survive a ruptured aneurysm.
- Atrial Fibrillation: A limited ECG (rhythm strip) is performed to detect an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. The risk of stroke increases five times for those individuals with atrial fibrillation.
- Peripheral Artery Disease: This screening test uses ankle-brachial index to predict blockage in leg arteries that may cause deep vein thrombosis or other thrombotic events, including stroke. Peripheral Artery Disease affects about 8 million Americans, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maryam Hadipour, M.D.[2]