Letter to the Editor: Consider Life Line Screening today

Dear Editor, We have all seen the television commercials about life insurance. One friend talking to another about a mutual friend who died suddenly without life insurance. I am a retired surgical Physician Assistant. Assisted in Cardiovascular & Thoracic surgery for 14 years of my 44-year career. Witnessed all too many emergencies that could have been averted, many by a simple ultrasound examination. While Life Insurance is certainly a necessity for many folks, nothing can replace prevention and/or early detection of a serious problem. Consider Life Line Screening. The ultrasound exams this organization performs could save your life. You MAY survive a stroke, but it will change your life forever. A simple ultrasound of your carotid arteries WILL detect a serious problem that can be corrected in most instances. Same holds true for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a truly silent killer of many Americans. This particular problem can easily be corrected with stinting these days if detected in its early stages. A disclaimer. I have absolutely NO affiliation with Life Line Screening. However, during my years in CV Surgery and for many years thereafter, I have personally detected carotid disease and abdominal aortic aneurysms in many patients on a routine pre-operative physical examination, relying upon nothing but my training, my stethoscope, a thorough exam of the patients’ neck & abdomen, as well as asking some key questions of patients in high-risk age groups. Any unusual finding on the physical exam was always confirmed by ultrasound. And, even if the problem was not acute, it provided the patient and their physician with a baseline ultrasound with which to compare with future ultrasounds and track the progression of their disease process. The ultrasound exam provides a wealth of information and could very well save your life. Consider taking advantage of this service when it is offered in your area. You could very well be doing yourself and your loved ones a great favor. It is money well-spent. Joe Perez, Retired Surgical PA Town of Rose