Northern Kentucky - The St. Luke Regional Vascular Institute offers vascular screenings on the fourth Thursday of each month (May 25 and June 22) at St. Luke Hospital West, 7380 Turfway Rd. in Florence. Call 859-212-4888 to register for screenings for carotid artery disease, abdominal arterial aneurysm and/or peripheral vascular disease; space is limited. Screenings are $25 each ($75 for all three). Vascular disease can lead to stroke, amputation or even death.

"Early detection and treatment of vascular disease is extremely important," says John Edwards, M.D., vascular surgeon and medical director of the St. Luke Regional Vascular Institute. "The earlier it is identified and treated, the easier it can be controlled with exercise, diet and smoking cessation.

People with risk factors and symptoms of vascular disease are at higher risk and should be screened.

Symptoms include:

· Inability to walk more than a block without pain or numbness in legs

· Burning or aching in the feet or toes when resting

· Color changes in the skin of the legs

· Numbness in the arms

Risk factors include:

· Over the age of 50

· Diabetes

· Smoker

· High blood pressure/hypertension

· Family history of aneurysms, coronary artery disease and/or heart attack

The St. Luke Regional Vascular Institute combines knowledge of leading experts with sophisticated technology and compassionate care to treat vascular disease. The multidisciplinary team works with each patient to develop a customized treatment plan that best suits his or her needs. Procedures that are among the most advanced in the country are performed at the Institute.

The St. Luke Hospitals are part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system that also includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.

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