YMCA hosting health screenings

Area residents can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke. Life Line Screening will be at the Whitehouse YMCA on May 10. The site is located at 301 Terry St. Call 1- 800-697-9721 for appointments.

A stroke, also known as a "brain attack," is ranked as the third leading killer in the world, and the second among women. Through preventive screenings, the risk of having a stroke can be greatly reduced. This is particularly timely during May which is Stroke Awareness Month.

Screenings are fast, painless and low cost. They involve the use of ultrasound technology, and scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which can lead to a stroke, aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta, and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which are a strong predictor of heart disease. Also offered for men and women, is a bone density screening to assess their risk for osteoporosis.

All four screenings take less than an hour to complete. A complete wellness package, including the Stroke/Carotid Artery, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Ankle Brachial Index (hardening of the arteries) and Osteoporosis screenings, is $129.

Life Line Screening was established in 1993, and has since become the nation's leading provider of vascular screenings. Over 85 ultrasound teams are on staff to travel to your local community, bringing the screenings to you.