Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Introduction
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body.
This swelling is far more common in men aged over 65 than it is in women and younger men, so men are invited for screening in the year they turn 65.
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.
Screening involves a simple Ultrasound scan of your stomach (abdomen), which takes about 10-15 minutes.
If your abdominal aorta is not enlarged, you dont ever need to be tested again.
If you have a small to medium aneurysm, you'll be regularly monitored to check it doesnt get dangerously larger.
If you are found to have a large aneurysm, you'll be seen by a vascular surgeon (a specialist in blood vessels) within two weeks. They will advise on whether you would benefit from treatment to reduce the risk of it bursting.
Why have AAA screening?
AnAAAis sometimes picked up by chance for instance, if youre being tested for another condition.
In general, if you have an AAA, you wont know. You probably wont feel any pain or notice anything different.
But if the aneurysm bursts, its a medical emergency, and most people either die before they reach hospital or dont survive surgery.
Screening is a way of detecting an aneurysm early. If a large aneurysm is detected before it bursts it can be treated. Accepting the invitation to screening cuts the risk of dying from an abdominal aortic aneurysm by about half.
The NHS AAA Screening Programme was set up in England in 2009 and has been offered throughout the UK since the end of 2013.
The screening technician will ask you to lift up your shirt and then run a small ultrasound scanner on your abdomen, which will allow the thickness of your abdominal aorta to be measured on a monitor.
The technician will tell you the result straight away and your GP will also be informed.
An aneurysm grows so slowly that youre unlikely to develop one after the age of 65.
- If you have a small to medium-sized aneurysm, youll be invited back for regular scans to check its size.
- If you have a large AAA, youll be referred to hospital to be seen by a vascular surgeon within two weeks. You will then be advised about treatment options but, generally, men with a large AAA are advised that the risk of a large aneurysm rupturing is more dangerous than having surgery to repair it.
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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