AOPA Life Line Screening?

[write-stuff]

As many of you probably have, I got a notice in the mail that "Life Line Screening" is doing their ultrasound screening stuff in my area for $135. I understand these are very limited in breadth, but any opinions on whether or not they are worthwhile? I'd particularly like to hear what some physicians think.

 

[Ghery]

I've heard others here say in the past that they would strongly recommend against it. The benefits do not out weigh the risks. If they come up with a false positive on something grounding you're stuck.

Not being a doctor, I don't have any knowledge one way or the other.

 

[kgruber]

Don't do it.

 

[frfly172]

Too many false positives,not worth the benefit.

 

[flyingron]

Never test for anything you aren't prepared to do something with the answer.

Life Line is even a more expensive and less beneficial idea than the stupid wine club.

 

[AggieMike88]

I recall this topic being discussed more than once here and on the Red Board. Some searching might find the topics and assist in enlightening you.

 

[Gary F]

I'm a little short of time but I will briefly address the tests listed in the website. http://www.lifelinescreening.com/de...OOG003&gclid=CMDx6Micjr0CFYsWMgod21sA-g&pdv=c

BMI is easy enough to do, plug in your height and weight into a BMI calculator that you can find online. Most of the time we know if we are too fat so this test is not worth paying for.

Atrial fibrillation. More common in older persons and very unlikely if you have a regular clock-like pulse.

Osteoporosis screening may be reasonable for at risk individuals (most common in elderly women of European decent) if done using an appropriate technique. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsoste.htm

Peripheral vascular disease test is probably an ankle brachial index where they look at the ratio of blood pressure taken in arms and legs. If your legs don't ache after walking a relatively short distance then you probably don't have PAD bad enough to worry about.

Abdominal Aortic aneurysm screening may be appropriate for certain at risk individuals but I don't anything about the quality of the test given by this outfit. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsaneu.htm

Carotid artery screening is at best controversial. If the intimal thickness is increased you are at higher risk for coronary artery disease but what can you do with this information? I'm not certain that the test offered here is accurate or how the results are interpreted. It is important that the test is done properly if you are using it to try to assess cardiovascular risk. They are probably only looking for major blockage of the artery and your physician can stick a stethoscope on your neck and listen for a bruit (murmur) to screen for this. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22281656
http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsacas.htm

What they are really testing for is to identify people who are worried enough about their health to shell out the cash for tests of questionable value. I don't think this is a good idea. Discuss screening with your primary physician who should be able to give you evidence based recommendations.

 

[write-stuff]

Ok, thanks guys. And Gary, you may not know much about global warming, but I sure do appreciate your professional opinion on this. ;-)

Very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[weilke]

Listen up kids and do what Mr Gary tells you to do .

 

[Gary F]

Ok, thanks guys. And Gary, you may not know much about global warming, but I sure do appreciate your professional opinion on this. ;-)

Very much appreciated. Thanks.

I disagree. You and I have unfinished business. Meet you in the SZ when I get caught up at work.