Hospital scan catches severe disease

Saturday’s Sonoma Valley Hospital vascular screening event turned out to be a potential life-saver for Sonoma resident Blanche Tabarraci –- her scan revealed a severe case of Carotid Artery Disease.

Tabarraci, 84, said she was relieved and thankful.

“Everyone was so wonderful, I wanted to adopt them all! I was truly impressed with Dr. Pak and was so comfortable with her. They all made me feel like the most important person in the Sonoma Valley.”
She said she will be talking with her doctors, Dr. Verducci and Dr. Price, for recommendations.

The screening included ultrasound scans of the carotid arteries and abdominal aorta as well as screening of the blood circulation in the legs. This screening gives patients and their doctors the knowledge they need to catch and treat disease early.

Service line director Rebecca Hengehold said, “The event was hugely popular and we found a spectrum of disease progression from normal to severe.”
Vascular screening is recommended for those 65 and older with two of the following risk factors: history of smoking, personal and/or family history of heart or vascular disease, overweight or obese, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and sedentary lifestyle.

The next Sonoma Valley Hospital screening is tentatively scheduled for May. Please contact Rebecca Hengehold at 935-5244 to reserve a spot.