Advertisement Withers didn’t know he had a large aneurysm, and he probably would not have had any warning. The first symptom, often a rupture, usually means death.
He read in the Tribune about a stroke screening last fall, and this time he thought he should sign up for it.
“I had seen the ads and stories before in the Tribune and disregarded them, but I was getting older, and I was a smoker for many years, so I decided it was time to go.”
An abdominal aortic aneurysm was detected at the Oct. 18 screening. AAA is an enlargement in the lining of the main artery from the heart to the lower abdomen. As this lining weakens and thins due to age, smoking and other factors, the aneurysm can tear or burst, which may lead to serious internal bleeding or death.
“I didn’t expect them to find anything,” Withers said. “When they did, I realized the danger right away and thought we should do something fairly quickly.”
Withers was urged to see his physician as soon as possible because an aneurysm of 6 centimeters or more was detected.
On Oct. 25, the 70-year-old La Crosse man had a CT scan, which showed an additional bulge on the main aneurysm.
“It could have burst anytime, and I would have been dead,” Withers said.
Gundersen Lutheran surgeons repaired the aneurysm Nov. 18. “I’m so grateful,” Withers said.
Withers said his sister, Doris, had died from complications to repair an aneurysm. She was a smoker, too, but had other health problems, he said. Withers quit smoking in January 2004.
He convinced another sister, Joan, to be screened, and no aneurysms were found.
“If people are at high risk, they need to be screened,” Withers said. As Withers knows, it can be a matter of life and death.
A free screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery disease and peripheral arterial disease will be available by advance appointment from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the Onalaska OmniCenter.
The Stroke and Aneurysm Vascular Evaluation Screening
Program is offered as a community health service by Gundersen Lutheran in cooperation with Life Line Screening, a national vendor of mobile ultrasound services.
Men older than 60 and women older than 65 with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm or a personal history of smoking, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease are at increased risk for developing these life-threatening conditions.
To find out whether you’re eligible for the free screening, call 1-866-220-7283.
Self-pay screening for these conditions plus osteoporosis will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the OmniCenter. Call 1-800-324-1851 for an appointment and cost information.
