Peoria County Participates in AAA Screenings

March 8, 2010 at 3:59PM (updated on March 9, 2010 at 8:40AM)

Peoria County, Methodist Medical Center,Cardiac Thoracic & EndovascularTherapies, and Mid Illini Surgical Associates S.C. are offering county employees and their spouses an opportunity to be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) at the Peoria County Courthouse on March 10, 2010; two additional dates are also scheduled for screenings. Media is welcome to visit the courthouse between 2:45 - 3:45 on Wednesday; employees scheduled during this time have agreed to answer questions, however, cameras will not be allowed in the screening room while an ultrasound is being performed. Screenings will be held on the 4th floor of the Main Street wing.
 
AAA is a blood-filled bulge of the abdominal aorta, the artery that carries blood away from the heart to the lower part of the body. Over time, the bulge or aneurysm becomes weak and can cause the aorta to rupture. Most patients with a ruptured aneurysm do not survive emergency treatment, making AAA the third leading cause of sudden death in men over 60. Peoria County and Methodist Medical Center are offering the simple ultrasound screenings to help diagnose and treat AAA early. The Doppler sonogram is followed by a private consultation, the entire process lasting less than 30 minutes.
 
On January 29, Peoria County's Recorder of Deeds Brad Horton died during emergency surgery to treat AAA. His sad and sudden passing raised concerns of AAA among employees and prompted the County to investigate the possibility of offering screenings through Methodist. Currently, 42 employees have taken advantage of the opportunity by registering for the screening, with 21 on a waiting list. Though abdominal aortic aneurysms are more likely to occur in men, AAA screenings are recommended for anyone who has one or more of the following risk factors:

            Over age 50
            History of smoking (current or past)
            Family or personal history of aneurysms 
            Family or personal history of hypertension
            Persons with one or more of these risk factors should consult their family physician for        guidance.
 
For more information on Peoria County's AAA screenings, please call County Administration at (309) 672-6056.