… with a "Heart Cart" that has a remarkable positive screening rate:
Since implementation in 2008, Francis said more than 1,500 individuals have been screened through the Heart Cart. And of those screened, 50 percent of individuals had abnormal findings.
Francis urged all men and women 21 and older to get screened and learn the risk factors.
"The Heart Cart is available to anyone. You don’t need a doctor’s order to get screened," she said. "The earlier the risks are found, the earlier somebody could take action and prevent a cardiac event from occurring."
Jamie Howell, who helps schedule Heart Cart screenings, said the process is empowering.
But the article fails to note there are downsides to screening, too, like additional non-invasive and invasive testing that might be required once "positive" screening test are identified. Clearly, doing screenings on "all men and women 21 and older," especially those who are asymptomatic and have no family history of heart disease, probably isn’t wise for most.
But then again, it’s your money… just be sure you know what will happen (and what it will cost) if a test is reported as positive. After all, it seems there’s a good chance this van’s testing will be, even if you’re perfectly healthy.
-Wes