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Screening Tests for Stroke Not Beneficial

| July 8, 2014 Comment

Screening tests for stroke are not beneficial, according to a new guideline from United States Preventive Task Force.

Many health fairs offer this test known as carotid artery stenosis, which screens blood vessels in the neck for plaque that can cause strokes. The test is performed with an ultrasound device and is non-invasive, but the panel of experts that looked at these tests concluded that they can often produce false positives, and lead to unnecessary surgery and treatment, which can be harmful.

The task force reaffirmed its 2007 decision that such tests do more harm than good for the general population, and recommends blood pressure and cholesterol checks instead. The tests may be useful for those who have already had strokes. More….

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