St. Francis Heart Center offers low-cost cardiac, vascular and bone screenings

INDIANAPOLIS -- The St. Francis Heart Center is sponsoring LifeLine Screening for adults in March and April at several south-side locations.

These preventive screenings are noninvasive and use ultrasound to test for four conditions:

Peripheral artery disease, sometimes known as hardening of the arteries, is a blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs. PAD—sometimes referred to as peripheral vascular disease, may lead to loss of limbs and may be an indicator of further cardiovascular problems.

Carotid artery disease occurs when there is a blockage in the arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease is the No. 1 cause of stroke, a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an enlargement in the lining of the artery that leads from the heart to the lower abdomen. Rupture of an AAA often results in sudden death.

Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and become brittle and can lead to fractures. Usually, osteoporosis develops when you have low levels of calcium and other minerals in your bones.

Screenings dates and locations are:

March 20: Knights of Columbus, 695 Pushville Road, Greenwood
April 4: Ritter Avenue Free Methodist Church, 1645 N. Ritter Ave., Indianapolis
April 25: Grace Assembly of God, 6822 North U.S. 31, Whiteland

The price for all four screenings is $129. Individual tests are $45 each. Tests take about 45 minutes to complete.

Registration is required for these valuable screenings. To make an appointment, call toll-free at 1-800-324-1851.