Welcome to Dare to C.A.R.E. Carolinas
Dare to C.A.R.E. is a not for profit foundation committed to providing free vascular screenings and education to all at risk people in the Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas.
Early Detection is the Key!
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 health problem in this country today. More than half of all Americans will die from complications of atherosclerosis, the root of cardiovascular disease. If you are: age 60 or over; or age 50 or over and have one or more of the following. Positive family history, hypertension, diabetes, or smoking. You qualify for a free vascular screening. This examination is a non-invasive ultrasound exam of the carotid arteries in the neck, the aorta in the abdomen and an evaluation of the circulation in your legs.
The C.A.R.E. acronym stands for:
- Carotid Artery Disease (the primary source of preventable strokes)
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (the 10th leading cause of death in men)
- Renal Artery Stenosis (responsible for at least 20% of patients on dialysis)
- Extremity Artery Disease (a disease which has a mortality rate significantly higher than breast cancer and affects 12 million Americans)
Through the efforts of volunteers and the use of lectures, educational materials, free ultrasound testing and meetings with cardiovascular specialists, DTC brings the important message to the public that complications of cardiovascular disease can be prevented.