Health Care

Optimal health means more than just surviving. It encompasses all aspects of a healthy and satisfying lifestyle, including: Disease prevention and management Fitness and nutrition Overall happiness. The word that best describes this concept is "wellness". Any health topic that involves living the highest quality of life possible falls into the category of wellness. Much of modern medicine, and modern day living in general, is now focused on issues of wellness. Many companies have begun offering a wellness program to their employees to encourage healthy choices and reduce absences due to illness. City officials are building more walking trails and bike paths for residents to enjoy. Some health care companies have started covering the costs of a quit-smoking program for members. With this new focus on wellness, many people are seeking information on these topics. Weight Loss and Exercise Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise are two important

"Heart disease" refers to a group of illnesses that affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Heart disease can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis and angina. According to the American Heart Association (2006), more than 17,000 Americans suffer from heart disease each year. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath and pain or numbness in the legs and arms. Unfortunately, many people don't experience symptoms until they suffer a heart attack or another serious cardiovascular problem. In fact, 50 percent of men and 64 percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease have had no previous symptoms, according to the American Heart Association (2006). Medical screening can help identify heart disease in its early stages, before it becomes life-threatening. Without medical screening, you and your doctor may not even realize that you have heart disease until it's too late. What is Heart Disease?

Peripheral arterial disease can cause immediate problems such as pain and numbness in the legs, or it may indicate far more serious coronary problems. People with peripheral arterial disease are four times more likely than their peers to die of heart disease. Peripheral arterial disease also makes a person two to six times more likely to die of a heart-related death, as reported by the Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition (2007). Many cases of peripheral arterial disease are asymptomatic, while others cause general symptoms like numbness or cramping in the legs. These symptoms are often dismissed as indicative of a less serious condition, so health screening for peripheral arterial disease is important, especially if you're in a high-risk category. Early detection and treatment could save your life. What is Peripheral Arterial Disease? Peripheral arterial disease is the narrowing of peripheral arteries, usually in the pelvis or legs. This limits blood flow to the limbs, ca

Atrial fibrillation is usually a chronic heart condition that, if left untreated, can lead to a stroke. More than 2.2 million Americans have this condition — approximately one in 25 people over the age of 60 and one in 10 people older than 80 — according to the American Heart Association (2010). Many people with atrial fibrillation don't realize that they have it, as the condition often causes no symptoms. If you're in a high-risk category, consider medical screening for atrial fibrillation. If you know you have this condition, you may be able to treat it before it leads to a stroke. Atrial fibrillation causes approximately 15 to 20 percent of all strokes (roughly 75,000 per year), and this condition is associated with a 50 to 90 percent increase in risk of death, as reported by the American Heart Association (2010). What is Stroke/Atrial Fibrillation? A stroke occurs when the brain's blood supply is interrupted, depriving the brain of oxygen necessary for surviva

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is the 13th leading cause of death in the United States, and the 10th leading cause of death for men over age 55, according to the USC Center for Vascular Care (2010). A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is often fatal, and two out of three people with a ruptured aneurysm die before they can even get to a hospital (2010). These statistics are particularly alarming because in most cases, abdominal aortic aneurysms produce no symptoms. Luckily, abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually treatable if they're caught before they rupture. But since people with this disease typically don't experience any symptoms, those at risk should consider medical screening to identify the problem early. This is particularly true if you're in a high risk category for abdominal aortic aneurysms, since insurance doesn't typically cover preventative measures and doctors can't do anything to help you if they don't realize there's a problem. Early interv

Carotid artery disease is a chronic condition that often goes unrecognized because it doesn't cause any symptoms until a stroke occurs. Preventative health screening for strokes and carotid artery disease can identify your risk for this serious medical issue. Because insurance doesn't cover preventative measures and doctors can't treat what they can't diagnose, identifying your risk for carotid artery disease may uncover a need for early intervention, which could save your life. What is a Stroke? What is Carotid Artery Disease? A stroke is a serious medical emergency caused by the interruption of blood supply to the brain. When a stroke occurs, the brain is deprived of oxygen, which is essential for survival. Brain cells begin to die within minutes of a stroke, so prompt treatment is necessary. Strokes can be fatal or cause permanent brain damage, which may lead to long-lasting complications such as paralysis, difficulty talking or memory loss. One of the most c

Cholesterol is a wax-like substance produced by the liver and found in the blood. In optimal amounts, certain types of cholesterol help your body build healthy cells and digest fat. Cholesterol is found in many foods, so many people may have too much cholesterol in their systems. High cholesterol can cause severe health problems including heart disease, heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol causes no symptoms. The only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is to take a medical screening test. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, the number one cause of death for both men and women. The American Heart Association (2006) reports that in 2002, 50 percent of men and 64 percent of women who died suddenly had no previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease, making high cholesterol health screening very important. What is High Cholesterol? High cholesterol is a buildup of extra cholesterol in your system, resulting in the development of fatty deposits i