Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme
View a guide to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening for people with learning disabilities.
The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme aims to reduce aneurysm-related mortality through early detection, appropriate monitoring and treatment.
We invite all men for screening during the year they turn 65, whilst men who have not previously been screened can self-refer. Our programme has been running in the community of Hertfordshire since June 2013. The programme is very successful and we screen approximately 8,000 men a year. We have many gentlemen on our surveillance programme being scanned every 3 or 12 months.
About the condition
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakening and expansion of the aorta, the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. Large aneurysms are rare but can be very serious.
Approximately 6000 people in England and Wales die every year from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Are they serious?
Large aneurysms are rare but can be very serious, as the wall of the aorta stretches, becomes weaker and could burst. Around 85 out of 100 people die when an aneurysm bursts.
Surgery is the most common treatment to repair large aneurysms that are found through screening. Approximately 97 out of 100 patients made a full recovery from AAA repair surgery.
An aorta which is only slightly larger than normal is not dangerous. However it is still important to know about it and to monitor its growth at regular intervals.
Who is at risk?
Man are approximately six times more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women. The chance of having an aneurysm increases with age.
The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase:
- If you smoke
- If you have high uncontrolled blood pressure
- If a family member has also had an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
For more information
Visit the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme website
Call us on 01727 897719
Email us at westherts.surgicalscreening@nhs.net
Please help us continue to save lives; a ruptured AAA can be fatal and often men have no symptoms of the condition.
Reasonable adjustments for you to attend your appointment are provided at your request.
If you would like to find out more about our programme do not hesitate to contact us or view the AAA screening programme website
