Sir na Vascular Center
* Sirona is the Celtic Goddess of Health
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(415) 464-5400
"Everything about you depends on circulation." (Jack LaLanne)
Frequently asked questions
Lots of people ask good questions when they come visit us. These are some of the most common questions we get asked.
01
What insurance do we take?
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We take Medicare and Medi-cal and most other major carriers. We do not accept Brown and Tolland.
02
Is my procedure covered by insurance?
In most cases, yes. As long as it is not a purely cosmetic procedure, we are successful in attaining insurance authorization.
03
Do I get exposed to radiation with ultrasound?
No. Ultrasound works with sound waves and does not expose you to radiation.
04
Are vascular screening exams good?
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Yes, if selected for the right person, they can offer valuable information. Screening exams are simple snap-shot vascular tests that can help detect whether you have significant vascular disease. They are not comprehensive exams, and they are not meant as a way to follow disease over time. If an element of the screening exam is positive, it is best to followup with your regular physician. At Sirona, we do a number of screening events every year for people who meet screening criteria. Keep in mind that these exams are not indicated for every person and can be misleading if applied broadly. Your doctor can help advise you on this. For more on screening exams, click here.
05
What is atherosclerosis and what causes it?
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Atherosclerosis is "hardening of the arteries," plaque build up in the artery wall that narrows the channel blood takes through the artery. Arteries take blood from the heart to the organs of the body, so atherosclerosis can reduce the blood flow to a particular organ. For instance, if the artery is taking blood to the legs, it can cause pain with walking. Atherosclerosis can also cause damage to part of the organ if parts of the plaque (called emboli) fragment and travel downstream to block smaller arteries; this is what causes many heart attacks and strokes. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, family history of heart disease or stroke, getting older, and being a man. Controlling these risk factors with diet, good nutrition, weight management, regular exercise, and medication can help slow the rate of development of atherosclerosis and reduce your risk of suffering heart attack, stroke, or limb loss.