.png)
CHAMPIONS Screening and Education
The CHAMPIONS screening is free of charge and designed to give you a better understanding of your health and help you take control of your well-being. The process is quick and confidential, providing you with valuable insights into your cardiovascular health risks and empowering you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your care.
From Screening to Action
Screening alone does not improve outcomes. What happens next is what matters. CHAMPIONS is designed to ensure that participants can act on what they learn.
Every participant receives:
-
Clear, easy-to-understand explanations of their results
-
Education tailored to their language and context
-
Guidance on next steps, including how and where to seek care
We connect individuals to primary care providers, specialists, and community resources, including options for those without insurance. For many participants, this is their first meaningful connection to the healthcare system.
​
The goal is simple: ensure that each person leaves with the understanding and support needed to take the next step.
Identifying Risk Before It Becomes Disease
PAD does not develop in isolation. It is driven by underlying cardiovascular and metabolic conditions that are often silent.
That’s why CHAMPIONS provides simple, on-site testing for key drivers of cardiovascular disease, along with PAD for persons that meet the testing criteria presented on the right.
​
For many participants, a CHAMPIONS screening is the first time these risks are identified. While they may not yet cause symptoms, they are powerful early indicators of future disease, creating a critical opportunity to act before complications.
High blood pressure is one of the most common and most important risk factors for heart and vascular disease. It often has no symptoms, which is why it’s called a “silent” condition. Measuring blood pressure helps identify risk early, when it can still be managed to prevent complications like heart attack, stroke, and PAD
We follow American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, which emphasize early identification of atherosclerotic risk (plaque buildup in the arteries). Detecting elevated cholesterol allows for timely treatment before this buildup leads to symptoms or serious disease.
Blood sugar (HbA1c/Diabetes)
Our approach aligns with American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations for diabetes screening. Many participants we see have never been tested. In our programs, a meaningful number of people are newly identified with diabetes or prediabetes during screening. HbA1c reflects average blood sugar over several months, making it a more reliable measure than a single glucose reading.
Our approach is guided by international vascular guidelines and is designed to identify disease even in people who may not yet have symptoms.
Here’s what you can expect during your screening:
1. Intake: Health History & Demographic Information
We’ll start by gathering your basic information and health history. This helps us establish a baseline for your current health status and identify any specific areas to focus on during the screening.
​
2. Vitals: Height, Weight & Blood Pressure
We’ll measure your height, weight, and blood pressure to assess your overall cardiovascular and metabolic health.
3. Point-of-Care (POC) Testing: HbA1c & Lipid Panel
Next, we’ll conduct point-of-care testing to assess your HbA1c (which measures your long-term blood sugar levels) and your lipid panel (which evaluates your cholesterol levels). These tests give us more valuable insights into your metabolic health, helping us identify risks for cardiovascular disease.​
4. Toe-Brachial Index (TBI): Toe Pressure Test
Some participants will receive a Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) test, which measures the blood flow to your toes to screen for peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a condition often associated with poor circulation in the legs and can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications and amputations. This non-invasive test helps us identify potential risks in your vascular health. Who is at-risk for PAD?
​
5. Personalized Education
After your screening, you’ll receive personalized health education tailored to your results. We’ll discuss key topics such as risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and peripheral artery disease. We’ll also look provide guidance on health insurance options and how to connect with a primary care physician for further care.
​
Our goal is not only to identify potential health risks but to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take charge of your health moving forward. The CHAMPIONS Screening Clinic is a proactive step toward a healthier future—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Using the Right Tools for the Right Populations
Accurate screening is essential, particularly in high-risk populations. Traditional PAD screening methods, such as the ankle-brachial index (ABI), can be unreliable in individuals with diabetes or chronic kidney disease due to arterial calcification. CHAMPIONS uses the toe-brachial index (TBI), which remains accurate in these populations and allows for earlier, more reliable detection of disease. See this article on the effectiveness of TBI in community settings.
Equally important, TBI can be performed quickly and with minimal training, making it well-suited for community-based settings.
This combination of accuracy and accessibility enables screening that is both clinically rigorous and scalable.