Life Line ultrasound screening- Meh.

I get asked about this test periodically, whenever Life Line scans come to town.

Do I recommend them? No.

Why doesn't my insurance cover them? Because they are proved not to be helpful.

The tests include ultrasound examinations of the carotid arteries which carry blood supply up to your brain, the abdominal aorta which carries blood supply to the abdomen, and also the circulation in your legs.

These are all standard diagnostic tests which can be ordered by doctors and are covered by insurances. The problem is, they are not useful as screening tests applied to patients who have no concerning symptoms. These tests have only been shown to be useful in preventing strokes, aneurysm rupture or worsening leg circulation in the presence of symptoms or abnormal physical exam findings.

In the absence of such, we find that applying these tests does not prevent these problems and simply exposes healthy people to further and riskier tests in the event of minor abnormalities being found.

Mind you, this is one of the reasons to be seen annually for wellness examinations or physicals. An important part of the exam is checking for findings that would suggest circulatory problems or aneurysms. Happily, the physical exam is quite sensitive in finding these problems and can guide further testing and treatment. When I am listening to your neck and abdomen and feeling pulses in your feet, that is exactly what I am doing!