Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
When abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is offered
The risk of dying from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is greatest in men aged over 65. This is why the NHS AAA Screening Programme offers screening to men aged 65 and over.
Men are invited for screening during the year they turn 65 (April 1 to March 31). This means you'll either be invited when you're 64 or just after your 65th birthday.
If you're registered with a GP, you will receive a letter from the NHS AAA Screening Programme inviting you for an appointment at a local screening clinic, which might be at your own GP surgery. If you don't respond to this first invitation, you will be sent a second invitation within six weeks.
Men over 65 who havent already been screened can request a scan by contacting theirlocal AAA screening service directly.
Why aren't women or younger men screened?
Women and younger men are not invited for screening because 95% of ruptured AAAs occur in men aged 65 and over.
Men are six times more likely to have an AAA than women, and the chance of having an aneurysm increases with age.
All the risks and benefits are carefully studied before a new screening programme is introduced. This is to ensure that the benefits of being offered screening outweigh any potential harms.
The UK National Screening Committee reviewed scientific evidence from around the world and concluded that there is not enough evidence of the benefits of offering screeningto women over 65 and younger men.
What if my family has a history of AAA?
Your risk of developing an AAA increases if you have a close family member brother, sister or parent who has an AAA or died from one.
If you have, speak to your GP about the possibility of being referred for a scan.
The usual advice is to have a scan when you're five years younger than your relative was when the AAA was found.
Close relatives of someone with an AAA should take the usual health precautions of not smoking, having a cholesterol and blood pressure check, and staying as healthy as possible.
Find outwhat happens during screening.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 30 Nov 2016
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Introduction
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling of the aorta. It involves an ultrasound scan and is offered to all men aged 65 and over. An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, its extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or dont survive surgery.
Why have abdominal aortic aneurysm screening?
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) you wont usually know, you wont feel any pain or notice anything different, which is why screening is offered. The NHS AAA Screening Programme was introduced after research showed it could halve the number of deaths from burst aneurysms among men aged 65 and over. The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if: you smoke; you have high blood pressure; a brother, a sister or a parent has, or has had, an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
When abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is offered
The risk of dying from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is greatest in men aged over 65. This is why the NHS AAA Screening Programme offers screening to men aged 65 and over. Men are six times more likely to have an AAA than women, and the chance of having an aneurysm increases with age. Your risk of developing an AAA increases if you have a close family member brother, sister or parent who has an AAA or died from one.
What happens during screening?
The screening test for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a simple, pain-free ultrasound scan of the abdomen that usually takes about 10 minutes. The technician will put a clear gel on your stomach (abdomen) and then move a small Ultrasound scan over the skin. The ultrasound scan will display a picture of the abdominal aorta on a monitor, and the technician can then measure it's thickness.
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm screening results
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scan will produce one of four possible results: a normal-sized aorta, a small aneurysm, a medium aneurysm, or a large aneurysm. What happens next depends on the size of your abdominal aorta. You'll also be given advice on how you can prevent the aneurysm from getting bigger, including: stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet, etc. You should be seen by the surgeon within two weeks of your screening appointment. The surgeon will discuss treatment options with you, taking into account your general health and fitness, as well as the size of your AAA.
What are the most FAQs on abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Frequently asked questions on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. Will I be offered abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening if I live outside England? What is the scientific evidence to support AAA screening? What happens if I am a man over 65 and haven't been screened for an AAA? What about women and men under 65? What are the implications for driving? What permission do I need to give to be screened? etc.
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