This simple and non-invasive test measures blood flow, detects early blockages, evaluates arterial stiffness, and calculates your arterial age. The entire appointment takes less than ten minutes, is affordable and the information it provides can be life changing. PAD greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and mobility loss, and long-term studies show 10-year mortality rates ranging from 40–70% depending on severity. Identifying issues early gives you time to improve circulation and protect long-term health. Book your Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention scan today! Do not wait for symptoms.
Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Scan at Healthspan Longevity
Many people never experience chest pain or other classic warning signs before a heart attack because these problems can build silently for years. Arteries can narrow, stiffen, and lose their ability to carry blood long before symptoms show up. This is one reason heart disease remains the number one killer in the United States. Peripheral artery disease is also far more common than most people realize, and long term studies show 10 year mortality rates ranging from 40 to 70 percent depending on severity. The good news is that these conditions are largely preventable when detected early.
Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Scan at Healthspan Longevity gives you a clear and proactive look at how healthy your arteries truly are. This simple and non-invasive test measures blood flow, detects early blockages, evaluates arterial stiffness, and calculates your arterial age. The entire appointment takes less than ten minutes, yet the information it provides can be life changing.
What Is the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Scan
The Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Scan combines two powerful measurements. These are the Ankle Brachial Index and Pulse Wave Velocity. Together they offer a complete picture of your arterial health. They show how well blood moves through your body and how flexible or stiff your arteries have become over time.
Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) is one of the strongest predictors of future heart attack and stroke because it reflects arterial stiffness, a change closely tied to cardiovascular risk, heart failure, and the biological aging of your arteries. PWV testing is supported by major research groups including the American Heart Association, the European Society of Cardiology, the Framingham Heart Study, the Arterial Stiffness Collaboration, and the Rotterdam Study.
Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is equally important. It’s the leading non-invasive test for peripheral arterial disease, a silent condition that multiplies the risk of heart attack and stroke and carries a 40–70% ten-year mortality rate depending on severity. That’s why the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association consider ABI essential for predicting cardiovascular events, not just identifying circulation problems.
Together, PWV and ABI give a powerful early warning system for heart attack and stroke prevention.
This test is ideal for anyone who wants to be proactive, understand long term cardiovascular risk, and take steps to protect their health before symptoms ever appear.
Why Vascular Health Matters
Healthy arteries are flexible, smooth, and able to expand with each heartbeat. They deliver oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. When arteries begin to narrow or stiffen, blood flow becomes restricted. Pressure increases. The heart has to work harder. These changes raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
The earliest stages of arterial damage usually do not cause pain. Most of the warning signs appear only when the problem is far advanced. By then the risks are much higher and treatment options are more limited. This is why preventive testing is so important.
The Vascular Health Screen detects these early changes years before symptoms appear. It gives you the chance to make changes while there is still time to improve outcomes.
Understanding the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
The Ankle Brachial Index is a simple measurement that compares blood pressure in the ankle with blood pressure in the arm. In healthy circulation these numbers should be similar. When the ankle reading is significantly lower, it is a sign that blood flow to the legs is restricted.
A low ABI often points to narrowing or blockage in the arteries that supply the legs. This is known as peripheral artery disease. PAD affects millions of people and often goes unnoticed because the early stages are silent. People may assume leg fatigue or slower walking speed is normal aging when it is actually restricted blood flow.
A very high ABI may also indicate a problem. It can mean the arteries have become stiff or calcified. This condition can also raise cardiovascular risk even if the person feels completely fine.
ABI is fast, non-invasive, and highly effective at catching problems early. It plays an important role in your overall cardiovascular risk profile.
Understanding Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)
Pulse Wave Velocity measures how quickly a pressure wave travels through your arteries. When arteries are flexible and healthy, the wave moves more slowly. When arteries stiffen, the pulse travels faster. Stiff arteries are strongly linked to higher cardiovascular risk, cognitive decline, and earlier vascular aging.
PWV is one of the best ways to measure arterial stiffness. It reveals how much pressure your arteries are absorbing and how hard your heart has to work. This measurement is often more sensitive than traditional blood pressure readings because it detects changes much earlier.
PWV also produces an arterial age score. This score shows whether your arteries are aging faster or slower than they should based on your chronological age. Many people are surprised to learn that their arterial age is older than expected. The good news is that stiffness can improve with lifestyle changes. PWV gives a clear starting point and helps guide your prevention strategy.
Peripheral Artery Disease and Why It Matters
Peripheral artery disease occurs when arteries become narrowed or blocked, most often in the legs. These blockages reduce blood flow and increase the risk of serious complications. PAD is strongly linked to heart disease and stroke. Many people with PAD also have silent blockages in arteries that supply the heart or brain.
PAD is not a minor condition. It greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and mobility loss. Long term studies show that 10 year mortality rates range from 40 to 70 percent depending on the severity of the disease. These numbers highlight how important it is to catch PAD early, before it progresses to advanced stages.
Common signs of advanced PAD include leg pain when walking, leg fatigue, slow wound healing, and cold feet. These symptoms appear only after the disease is well established. Earlier stages are completely silent. This is why ABI is so useful. It detects PAD even when a person feels perfectly normal.
PAD increases long term cardiovascular risk but it is also highly treatable when found early. Improving blood flow through lifestyle changes, targeted exercise, and risk management can slow or even reverse the progression. The Vascular Health Screen gives you the information you need to take control before the disease advances.
Why These Tests Matter Together
ABI and PWV measure different aspects of vascular health. ABI focuses on circulation and blockage. PWV focuses on stiffness and vascular aging. When combined, they give a complete picture of how well your arteries are functioning.
A person may have normal blood pressure and healthy cholesterol yet still have stiff arteries. Another person may feel fine but have early blockages. The Vascular Health Screen identifies both patterns.
This is one of the fastest, easiest, and most effective ways to assess cardiovascular risk without needles, radiation, or imaging. It takes less than ten minutes and requires no preparation.
Heart Disease Is the Number One Killer and Mostly Preventable
Heart disease continues to take more lives than any other condition in the United States. It causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. What makes this especially tragic is that the majority of cardiovascular disease is preventable.
The biggest risk factors include poor circulation, arterial stiffness, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, chronic stress, poor sleep, and inactivity. Many of these risks can be identified early and improved with targeted lifestyle changes. Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction play a major role in protecting artery health.
The Vascular Health Screen helps identify hidden issues before they turn into serious problems. This allows you to take simple steps now to protect your heart, your brain, and your long term health.
What to Expect During the Test
Your appointment takes less than ten minutes from start to finish. The test is non-invasive and comfortable. Blood pressure cuffs are placed on your arms and legs. The device measures the pulse wave and blood pressure at each location. There is no pain, no needles, and no downtime.
After the test you receive your ABI score, your PWV score, and your arterial age. These results give you a clear understanding of how your arteries are functioning today. They also help guide future health decisions.
Who Should Consider the Vascular Health Screen
This test is valuable for adults of any age who want to take a proactive approach to their health. It is especially recommended for individuals with the following factors:
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Smoking history
• Sedentary lifestyle (sitting all day at work)
• Leg pain or heaviness when walking
• Concerns about circulation
• Interest in longevity and prevention
Even without risk factors, many people choose this test because it provides clarity and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the test painful
No. The Vascular Health Screen is completely non-invasive and feels similar to having your blood pressure taken.
How long does the appointment take
The test takes less than ten minutes and does not require any preparation.
What do my results mean
Your results include your ABI score, your PWV score, and your arterial age. Low ABI suggests restricted blood flow. High PWV indicates stiff arteries. Arterial age shows whether your arteries are aging at a healthy pace.
Can arterial stiffness improve
Yes. Exercise, diet, sleep, and stress management can improve arterial stiffness over time.
Is peripheral artery disease reversible
Early PAD can often improve with lifestyle changes and improved circulation. Early detection is the key.
Should I get this test if I feel fine
Yes. Most people with early arterial disease have no symptoms. This test is designed to find problems early.
