Stroke prevention test.

[scoob101]

Hi, I saw an advert in one of the daily papers today for a preventative health screening and was wondering if anyone has had it done or is it just a gimmick?
The screening test consists of,
Stroke/cartoid artery
Heart rhythm/artrial fibrillation
Abdominal aortic aneurism
Peripheral arterial disease.
All for a package price of £139 from a company called Life Line Screening.
I was possibly thinking of having this done with the thinking that a check up cant be a bad thing if this company is ligit.
Thanks.

[daffy654]

////However, experts fear that private health-screening preys on the worried well, offers poor value for money, can cause unnecessary anxiety and can even lead to unnecessary surgery.

Sir Muir Gray, of the Government's National Screening Committee, raised concerns last year that the proliferation of such services was putting undue pressure on the NHS as people were visiting their GPs after being needlessly scared. The Royal College of General Practitioners also expressed concern that there was no system of regulation.////

From here:
http://www.dailymail....falling-scan-far.html

[237SJ]

I would have thought that a cholesterol test, blood pressure test and a look at lifestyle factors would be all that`s needed. It`s free of charge as well.

[sandyRoe]

It seems to be aimed at relieving some of 'the worried well' of a bit of their money..

[yogasun]

I have had this done locally about 2 years ago by this company, they go nationwide. I was attracted by a special offer (less than that you quote) and including a basic osteoporosis check. I also thought the aortic aneurism screen was useful as a member of my class died from an undetected one. Did it on a whim as I am generally an 'unworried well'
It was OK, ultrasound screening, heart monitor, BP etc. Mine was OK. It's not 100% accurate but I feel it might alert to a problem if there was one. It was only 5 mins away from me so thought I'd have the check.
Might be wrong but I think they are introducing AAA screening for over a certain age anyway, but it's not in our area yet.

[cathfromsaron]

that is a list of scary ailments (although AF can be 'normal' and not a prob to some people) BUT i would think your GP would be the best starting point!

and in my experience, the initial tests get you in the door, and then they hum and haa until you pay for 'more intensive' testing ...

[bednobs]

aaa screening is coming to an nhs near you soon!