Free Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Screening
The Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation service at Parrish Health & Fitness
Center is joining the Respiratory Therapy department to Celebrate Respiratory
Care Week by offering FREE Alpha 1 Antitrypsin screening on Tuesday, October
25, from 1 pm to 5 pm at Parrish Health & Fitness. Please preregister
by calling 268-6726.
AAT deficiency is an inherited disorder characterized by low to nonexistent
levels of AAT, a protein that protects the lungs from a potentially damaging
enzyme produced in the body. Individuals with family history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis,
or any form of lung disease will benefit from this screening. The screening
consists of a simple finger stick (fasting is not necessary) and completion
of a short questionnaire.
What Is It? Alpha-1Antitrypsin deficiency is a disorder characterized
by low to non-existent levels of AAT. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein
that protects the lungs from a potentially damaging enzyme produced in the body.
Who Should Be Tested? The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory
Society recommends that all COPD patients and family members should be
screened for AAT deficiency.Why Should I Test? 2%–3% of all COPD
patients have undiagnosed Alpha-1Antitrypsin deficiency. The test is a
simple finger stick blood test.
Parrish Health & Fitness Center is located at 2210 Cheney Highway
(Hwy. 50), Titusville, FL 32780.
PMC’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation is located within the fitness
center and is a medically supervised program that helps improve the health
and well-being of people who have heart and/or lung problems. The program
uses the expertise of medical professionals associated with Parrish Medical
Center in the fields of cardiac and pulmonary medicine, nutrition, nursing,
respiratory therapy, pharmacology and exercise physiology. Benefits of
pulmonary rehabilitation include: exercise programs tailored to your needs;
better breathing and overall health; and monthly educational self-management
seminars. For more information call 321-268-6726.