(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Native Americans from the Sacramento region will receive free screenings for vascular diseases, conducted by the UC Davis Vascular Laboratory, on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sacramento Native American Health Center, 2020 J St., Sacramento. To schedule a screening, call (916) 341-0575.

The screening is aimed at Native American individuals, and about 150 people are expected to receive a free screening. The health center also will host a Family Health and Wellness Fair, featuring kids' activities, raffles, music and health-information booths. The health fair will emphasize vascular disease prevention activities, such as smoking cessation, physical activity and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Native Americans. Diabetes is a major risk factor for the disease: Almost 16 percent of Native Americans and Alaskan natives aged 18 and older have diabetes, 11.6 percent have heart disease, 7.6 percent have coronary heart disease, 25.4 percent have hypertension and 5.1 percent have had a stroke.

Vascular diseases include any condition that affects the circulatory system. They most commonly affect the arteries of the heart, brain and legs.

The vascular lab's screening exam consists of three parts:

1. Carotid artery ultrasound will evaluate for blockages in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain
2. An abdominal aorta ultrasound will screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms, an enlargement of the main artery in the abdomen.
3. Ankle/brachial indices will check blood pressure in the ankles and arms to screen for blockages in the arteries in the legs.

The Sacramento Native American Health Center Inc. is a non-profit, federally qualified health center, committed to enhancing the quality of life by providing culturally competent, holistic and patient-centered care.

The UC Davis Vascular Laboratory provides a broad range of non-invasive vascular diagnostic services, using ultrasound imaging, Doppler blood flow evaluation, and physiologic testing. The Vascular Laboratory has the distinction of being accredited in all major areas of testing offered, including extracranial cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial, venous, and abdominal vascular testing. With the laboratory's staff of registered vascular technologists performing over 9,000 examinations a year, the UC Davis Vascular Laboratory is one of the busiest in the nation.