UAMS will offer free abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings Oct. 4 for those with certain risk factors.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the lower part of the aorta, a main blood vessel that supplies blood to the lower body, balloons. Ruptures of this type of aneurysm are the third-leading cause of sudden death in men 60 and older in the United States, UAMS said.
Those eligible for the screening once every five years include people ages 60 and older who have at least two cardiovascular risk factors (including a history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries) or men age 55 and older with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor.
The screenings involve an ultrasound of the abdomen. Door prize drawings will also be held at the event, set for 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 4 at the I. Dodd Wilson Education Building at the Hooper Drive entrance to the UAMS campus.
Advanced registration and an eight-hour fast are required. Appointments can be made by calling (501) 686-6176.