Kane County coroner gets health screenings himself to promote them
Rob Russell invested an hour in taking some basic heart and vascular tests.
By the next day, Friday, the 46-year-old Kane County coroner knew he had to make some real lifestyle changes, lest he run into serious — and potentially fatal — health issues in the next few years.
Russell underwent elective screening offered by Elgin's Advocate Sherman Hospital to kick off American Heart Month in February.
By sharing his test results — and personal details about his health — Russell hopes to inspire others to take charge of their own health.
“I think one of the things that stops people from coming in is, I don't think they want to know, so they get really nervous about what the results might be,” Russell said. “I would rather know.”
The $170 screening, about half the regular cost, includes an electrocardiogram (EKG), peripheral vascular screening (ABI), carotid artery ultrasound, abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound and a heart CT scan. Screenings for blood pressure, body fat composition and glucose are included, as is a total lipid panel.
All his tests came back OK except his heart scan, Russell said.
“They can see a certain amount of plaque in the arteries inside the heart. They calculate a score, and I'm on the bad end of the score for people my age,” he said.
“It's not actual blockage, but if don't take corrective action now, within five years it might be bad, or even too late. It's not life-threatening at this point. It just shows the need for me to make some lifestyle changes. Basically, get up and get moving and lose some weight.”
Heart-related conditions are the number one cause of death in the U.S., something Russell witnesses daily on the job. Many of those who die of heart attacks as young as in their 40s don't get annual physicals or screenings, he said.
Sherman Hospital recommends the screening for people ages 40 to 70 with one or more of the following risk factors: diabetes, a history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease.
Russell's father was a smoker who died at age 63 of heart issues.
Still, Russell said, he's largely responsible for the state of his own health.
He was in good shape as a football player at Northern Illinois University, he said, but over time he became inactive as he took on the responsibilities of being a husband and a father to four children.
He could now stand to lose 50 pounds, he said, and is taking medication to control type II diabetes, elevated cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as a daily aspirin to prevent blood clotting, he said.
“I have been doing some things right, which is good,” he said.
People often are unaware of the hidden risks of heart disease or simply confused about what they should or shouldn't do in terms of their health, said Raminder P. Singh, Sherman's medical director of acute myocardial infarction.
The screening is for people who have no symptoms, because if you have symptoms, you should see your doctor, Singh said.
“The beauty of this is that all this is modifiable or correctable by lifestyle changes,” Singh said. “Exercise, diet, quitting smoking.”
He said even though the reduced cost of $170 for the screening may be steep for some people, it should be viewed as a long-term investment that could prevent greater health-related expenses down the line. Some health insurance providers might reimburse patients for some, or even all, of the expense, said Tonya Lucchetti-Hudson, Advocate Sherman's director of public affairs and marketing..
People should feel empowered — not scared — by whatever results they get, Russell said.
“There is no silver bullet, there are no promises, but it stands to reason that if you take reasonable — reasonable is the key — measures to prevent some of this stuff, things can turn out fine,” he said. “That's really what it's about, placing yourself in the best position to win.”
Heart and vascular screenings
Advocate Sherman Hospital is offering a $170 heart and vascular screening package.
Monday, Feb. 10: Advocate Sherman Outpatient Center, 2000 McDonald Road in South Elgin
Saturday, Feb. 22: Advocate Sherman Outpatient Center, 600 S. Randall Road in Algonquin
Tuesday, Feb. 25: Advocate Sherman Outpatient Center, 2320 Royal Blvd. in Elgin
Tuesday, March 4: Advocate Sherman Imaging Center, 1710 Randall Road in Elgin
Screenings are recommended for people ages 40 to 70 with one or more of these risk factors: diabetes, history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or family history of heart disease.
Tesing includes electrocardiogram, peripheral vascular screening, blood sugar, body fat composition, total lipid panel and glucose, carotid artery ultrasound, abdominal aortic aneurysms ultrasound and heart CT scan.
To make an appointment call 1.855.ONE.HEART.