15 Minutes Could Save Your Life: Cenla Health - Alexandria, Pineville, Louisiana
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Staff Writer
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Leverne Perry, a central Louisiana cowboy icon, will quickly tell you he's the “luckiest man around."He's been blessed with five wonderful daughters, has fun working as director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association in Alexandria and has always been in good health.So you might wonder why such a man would decide to have a carotid screening.
Growing up Perry stated, “My mom always had a fear of having a stroke."It was a fear that was communicated to him along with the fact that most strokes are caused by blockage of the “neck arteries."So in the summer of 2004, Perry decided to be screened by Stacey Perrodin, a friend of one of his daughters he had gotten to know because of their shared interest in horses.He also knew Perrodin worked at Louisiana Cardiovascular & Thoracic Institute and was a registered sonographer.
The screening revealed blockage in his right carotid artery of 50-60%.Dr. DeWitt recommended a repeat screening in 6 months.The repeat screening in January 2005 revealed the blockage had increased to 90% and now required intervention.
 Perry opted for surgical removal of the blockage and reports that he was up and back to his normal activities within a week, a fact Perrodin confirms but added Perry's rapid recovery was aided by his general good health.
When asked about his symptoms that might have led him to get a carotid screening, Perry said, “None, I felt great.I only went because I knew Stacey and that she did screenings and maybe because of my mother's fear of stroke."Perrodin confirmed that often a critical blockage is asymptomatic until a stroke occurs, that's why a screening beginning at age 55 is so important.
Perry will be followed on a yearly basis to check for any reoccurring blockage.He is confident he has many years of fun left to enjoy and encourages friends to get screened because, “if I have something wrong with me, I want to know about it."Perry also feels if everyone knew how simple and painless a carotid screening is and that it only takes about 15 minutes of your time that more people would be screened.
Perry's secret to good health….don't smoke, stay involved, walk fast, meet a challenge and love it, and now, don't forget your carotid screening.Of course it doesn't hurt to be the “luckiest man around."
For more information about this procedure, visit Cardiovascular & Thoracic Institute's Profile Page. Wellness Center | Women's Health Library | Men's Health Library
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