S2:Episode 12 - Life Line Screening-Preventive Health Care

This podcast episode of "Teach, Lead and Expire" features Dr. Jordan Smith and Jordan III discussing Dr. Smith's recent experience with Lifeline Screening, a preventive health service.

Main Topic: Dr. Jordan Smith's comprehensive review and recommendation of Lifeline Screening as a proactive approach to health management, contrasting it with traditional reactive medical care.

Key Points from Dr. Smith's Review:

1. Initial Hesitation & Shift in Mindset:

   • Initially believed Lifeline Screening wasn't for him due to having comprehensive Kaiser Permanente insurance, which he considered proactive with annual physicals and tests.

   • His perspective changed after personal health battles (prostate cancer) and a desire for more extensive data and a "living now" focus on health.

   • His wife, Carolyn, influenced him due to a strong family history of heart attacks and strokes, prompting her to seek additional screenings.

2. Key Screenings Offered by Lifeline Screening (and why they caught his attention):

   • Artery Disease (Atherosclerosis): Noticed "atherosclerosis" flagged on his medical reports, but his primary doctor never discussed or recommended action, sparking his interest in finding specific locations of plaque buildup.

   • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): His mother died from an aneurysm at 45, and he was unaware that aneurysms could occur in the abdominal aorta, not just the brain.

   • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Observed mobility issues in his 55+ community and noted that Lifeline's test involved pressure cuffs on arms and legs—a test his regular doctors had never performed, despite his extensive medical history.

   • AFib (Atrial Fibrillation): Recognized its link to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure, common concerns in his age group.

3. The Lifeline Screening Process - A User-Friendly Experience:

   • Registration: Easy online signup, followed by email confirmations, pre-registration health questions, text message reminders, and two personal follow-up calls. https://bit.ly/lifelinescan

   • Location: Screenings were held in a rented conference room at a hotel, with designated, screened-off sections for privacy.

   • Efficiency: Appointments were on time, and the process was generally non-intrusive (requiring only a T-shirt for most tests).

   • Additional Service: Carolyn opted for an osteoporosis screening due to family history.

4. The Screening Stations and Results:

   • Ultrasound: Performed on the neck (carotid arteries) and abdomen (aorta) to check for blockages or enlargements. Technicians provided immediate positive feedback, indicating no abnormalities.

   • Lipid Panel: Involved a quick finger prick, with results provided within a minute via a machine similar to a diabetic's blood sugar monitor.

     • The accompanying chart clearly defined desirable, borderline, and high ranges for each test (e.g., total cholesterol, HDL, LDL) and included descriptions of what each test measured, which he found superior to typical lab reports. (Note: Dr. Smith had not fasted, which was noted for the lipid panel results).

   • Pressure Test (for PAD): Blood pressure cuffs were placed on both arms and calves to measure blood flow and pressure, assessing for peripheral artery disease.

   • Comprehensive Reports: While immediate feedback was given for lipid panels and general observations from technicians, detailed reports from the ultrasounds and pressure tests are sent to a medical doctor for review and then mailed to the patient, similar to pathology reports.

5. Cost and Value:

   • The total cost was approximately $300, which Dr. Smith considered a worthwhile medical expense and a tax-deductible item.

   • He emphasized the peace of mind gained from the screenings and the detailed, easy-to-understand information provided.

6. "Aha!" Moment & BMI Discussion:

   • Dr. Smith had an amusing realization that he had shrunk 2 inches (from 5'11" to 5'9"), impacting his Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation.

   • He and Jordan III discussed the outdated nature of BMI for everyone, particularly for individuals with significant muscle mass, finding it an inaccurate measure for their body types.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Dr. Smith highly recommends Lifeline Screening for its proactive approach to detecting potential health issues, providing valuable data, and offering peace of mind, especially as an alternative to a solely reactive, prescription-based medical model. https://bit.ly/lifelinescan