Many people don’t realize they may be at risk for heart disease, so Mercy is making it easier to identify certain conditions by offering low-cost screenings.
“Before symptoms appear, people should consider a screening to evaluate their risk for cardiovascular disease if they are over age 45 with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking or other risk factors,” said Christi Keating, executive director of nursing at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott. “Other risk factors include diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and having a more-than-ideal body weight.”
Mercy Fort Scott offers low-cost heart and vascular screening year-round, but since heart health seems to be top-of-mind during February, now is the perfect time to get a screening. The screenings help identify factors that may lead to stroke, aneurysm, cardiovascular disease or other serious conditions.
A variety of screenings are available starting at only $50. Insurance will not be billed for the screenings and payment is due at time of service.
The $50 calcium heart screening is a simple CT scan of your heart to detect calcium build-up in your arteries – an indication of heart disease. The $99 vascular screening package includes three non-invasive tests on your carotid arteries, your abdomen, and your legs. The tests help identify problems to reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and aneurysm.
Patients may choose both screening packages for $149. A physician order is not necessary and no special preparation is needed before either screening package.
Screenings are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott.
To schedule your screening online, visit mercy.net/FortScottHearts or call 620-223-7015.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.