OHIO VALLEY HEARTCARE INTRODUCES
VASCULAR SCREENING PROGRAM

20-Minute, $60 Screening Evaluates for Stroke Risks
and Potential Vascular Diseases

EVANSVILLE, IND. (May 9, 2005) -- Ohio Valley HeartCare (OVHC), an Evansville-based cardiology and cardiovascular surgery practice, today introduced ViewPoint from Ohio Valley HeartCare, a non-invasive screening program that evaluates participants for potential vascular diseases.

The 20-minute screening, conducted in OVHC's nationally accredited Vascular Lab at the practice's main Evansville office at 1400 Professional Boulevard, uses non-invasive technology to evaluate for stroke indicators, abdominal aortic aneurysms and peripheral vascular diseases. Program participants do not have to be OVHC patients, nor do they need a physician referral, to obtain the screening. ViewPoint screenings are by appointment only and the program's $60 cost is not covered by insurance. Appointments are available at 812.473.2642 and callers are asked to mention "ViewPoint" when scheduling an appointment.

"Peripheral vascular screenings can detect potentially life-threatening problems and health risks, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, hardening of the arteries and stroke indicators," says Larry D. Bucshon, M.D., OVHC cardiovascular surgeon and ViewPoint program director. "Unfortunately, consumers typically cannot see or feel these problems until a major medical event occurs, which may be too late. Through the ViewPoint screening program, we use painless, non-invasive technology to look inside the body to identify potential vascular problems and risks."

At the screening's conclusion, ViewPoint participants receive a written report that includes exam results and any recommended treatment steps, and are encouraged to share the report with their primary care physician to determine appropriate follow-up treatment.

"Peripheral vascular diseases are a public health issue in our community. For example, abdominal aortic aneurysms can rupture without warning and frequently kill a person before the arrival of emergency medical assistance. Using our technology, we can identify potential problems such as abdominal aortic aneurysms within minutes and provide ViewPoint participants with education and direction on appropriate care to hopefully avert medical crises," says Bucshon.

Ohio Valley HeartCare
Headquartered in Evansville, Ind., Ohio Valley HeartCare (www.ovhc.com) is among the tri-state region's most comprehensive cardiology and cardiovascular surgery practices, offering patients a full range of invasive and non-invasive services. OVHC's medical staff includes 8 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, offering medical expertise to the entire family. In addition to its three Evansville offices, the Angina Center of Evansville, the Women's HeartCare Center of Evansville, The Thoracic Surgery Center at Ohio Valley HeartCare, the ViewPoint Peripheral Vascular Screening Program, the Women’s Heart Initiative “specialized cardiovascular screening and educational program, just for women”, and the tri-state area's first nationally accredited vascular laboratory, Ohio Valley HeartCare operates clinics and offices in Boonville, Ind., Tell City, Ind., Henderson, Ky. and Eldorado, Ill.

901 St. Mary's Drive, Suite 300 Evansville, IN 47714 1-800-26-HEART

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