Arterial Screening Program

Aneurysms and strokes  —  common conditions caused by vascular disease — can strike suddenly and without warning. That’s why it’s best to identify and treat underlying causes before symptoms appear. Stony Brook Medicine offers free screenings to help detect vascular disease. These screenings are performed by a vascular technologist during a single visit and the results are reviewed by a vascular surgeon. 

The screening tests include:

Carotid ultrasound, to check for clogged carotid arteries in the neck, which can lead to stroke

Abdominal aortic ultrasound, to test for aortic aneurysm, which can burst if reaching a large size

Ankle-brachial index, to check for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which may pose a threat to the health of your legs and is often a sign of heart disease

Vascular disease that affects the arteries is most often caused by atherosclerosis, a process resulting from a buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) on the inner lining of the arteries. As the buildup progresses, blood flow can become restricted or the artery may dilate and become aneurysmal.

Narrowing or blockages of arteries can occur in the arteries near the heart (cardiovascular disease), or in arteries farther from the heart, such as those in the arms, legs and the brain.

The most common forms of vascular disease are abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), carotid artery disease and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) — all serious and life-threatening, often occurring "silently" without any symptoms. That's why early detection and treatment are crucial.

A Vascular Screening Could Save Your Life

The screening process for all three tests is about 10 minutes for each test and completely painless. As a service to our community,  we’re offering these screening tests at no cost as just one more way Stony Brook Medicine is helping to keep you healthy.

Want to find out if you are a candidate for a free screening? Visit our FREE screening registration page.