Albany Life Line event full this weekend, other screening opportunities available

ALBANY — Residents living in and around Albany who want to take advantage of the Life Line screening event at American Legion Post 30 this weekend are out of luck due to a full timetable of participants. But there are other opportunities to get screened in southwest Georgia in coming weeks, officials say.

Officials with Life Line said interested persons can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with the screenings. Participants can check for the level of plaque buildup in the arteries — related to risk for heart disease, stroke and overall vascular health — HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, diabetes risk, bone density as a risk for possible osteoporosis, and kidney and thyroid function.

The pre-registration process includes basic information — such as age, height and weight — health questions, information on screening packages, a listing of screening locations and payment. The three basic packages offered include “Complete Wellness Package,” “Stroke, Vascular, Heart Rhythm with Osteoporosis” and “Stroke, Vascular, Heart Rhythm with Osteoporosis and 6 for Life.”

A spokesperson from Life Line said that the event at American Legion Post 30 on Saturday has 91 participants signed up, leaving no other appointments available for that day. Life Line is expected to conduct other screening events in southwest Georgia. They include:

— Thursday, Decatur County Senior Center, 402 W. Water St., Bainbridge

— Friday, Blakely First United Methodist Church, 397 College St., Blakely

— Monday, Central Baptist Church, 190 Upper River Road, Americus

— March 29, Cordele Lions Club, 2101 U.S. Highway 41 South, Cordele

— April 5, Loyal Order of Moose, 16 25th St. Southeast, Moultrie

— April 9, Calvary Baptist Church, 1211 13th Ave., Albany

— April 12, Life Point Church, 384 Georgia Highway 30 West, Americus

— April 17, East Side Baptist Church, 220 Colton Ave., Thomasville

Officials said packages start at $149, but consultants can work with individuals to create a package that is right based on age and risk factors. Attendees are usually directed to a welcome desk and complete a check-in form and necessary payment, after which they are sent to a waiting area until a technician calls them in for the screenings.

Blood test results are usually available onsite, with the remaining results being mailed out within 15 days, and can also be made available through an e-Results program. Life Line officials said board-certified physicians review the results.

Officials said the company keeps track of screening histories, informing participants when they may need to be re-screened.

Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com for more information on the screening process and the options available. Registration is required prior to a screening event.