The editor:
In regard to the matter of inappropriate vascular screenings, Mr. Blum, president of Life Line Company, apparently does not choose to believe respected national experts of the U.S. Preventative Disease Task Force and their advice to not screen for carotid and vascular disease. The reason is simple: more harm than good will come of it.
The American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology are in agreement to not screen. Thus, the reason for Medicare and other health insurance companies not to pay for these tests.
The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure ruled that screenings did not violate state law but did not recommend these useless tests.
As a physician and as a patient, I personally would choose to follow the advice of a n unbiased consensus panel rather than the opinion of the writers of a business magazine (US News & World Report).
I repeat: carotid artery and peripheral vascular screenings are not advised.
Ewell Scott, MD
Morehead
