HealthLinksSC.com | 59 The screening, which begins with a sonogram, is covered by insurance and Medicare. Dr. Arthurs suspects that the lack of screening is linked to the fact that doctors are so buried by day-to-day details that it is easy for screening to drop off the radar. “The screening is super easy, but, for whatever reasoning, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” he said. Some states and hospital systems – including Texas and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – require annual aortic aneurysm screenings for patients who are 60 to 65 years old. As a result, they are seeing a significant decrease in the number of deaths linked to aortic ruptures, Dr. Arthur noted. Screening is one sure way to detect a problem that has no early warning signs. In addition to championing the “get screened” cause, Dr. Arthurs would like to see screening that includes differentiation between the acceptable size of an aorta for men and women. To date, men and women are screened for the same normal versus dilated size. “With a more customized screening, specialists can take a closer look at why women are dying at a faster rate than men,” Dr. Arthurs explained. Dr. Arthurs came to Coastal Vascular & Vein Center as a highly-awarded retired Army lieutenant colonel with almost 15 years of vascular surgery experience, including serving at the helm of the prestigious Vascular Surgery Department at Brooke Army Medical Center. Dr. Arthurs received his bachelor of science in chemistry and nuclear engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and went on to complete medical school at the University of Oklahoma. His general surgery residency was completed at Madigan Army Medical Center, followed by a vascular surgery fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and currently sits on the Program Committee for the Pacific Northwest Endovascular Conference and is positioned on the editorial board for the Journal of Vascular Surgery. The symptoms of a ruptured aortic aneurysm can be sudden and severe. They may include: • Intense and persistent chest or abdominal pain; • Rapid and weak pulse; • Low blood pressure; • Shortness of breath; • Pale and clammy skin; • Loss of consciousness. We are pleased to announce we will be expanding our service to the Summerville area starting Aug. 1, 2023. Call today to book an appointment and be sure to ask for the Nexton location! 1327 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29407 1229 Nexton Parkway, Suite C., Summerville, SC 29486 Normal Aorta Abdominal Aneurysm Aorta
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