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.
An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, it’s extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or don’t survive surgery.
The UK research study, which was set up to find out whether a national AAA screening programme would be worthwhile, has now been running for over 10 years, and shows that it will cut the risk of dying from an AAA by 48% in men over the age of 65.
Men in their 65th year will be invited to attend for an ultrasound scan
Men over 65 who have not been screened previously can arrange a screening appointment by phoning 0191 455 2554
You will be asked to attend for screening at South Shore Primary Care Centre, Lytham Road, Blackpool.
