Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening, a simple free test for men aged 65 and over
Men aged over 65 who have not been screened before can contact their local service to arrange a test.
If you would like to receive AAA Screening, please call the AAA Screening Programme Office for Coventry and Warwickshire on 01788 663428 or email: AAAScreeningProgramme@uhcw.nhs.uk with details of your NHS number.
What is a Abdominal aortic aneurysm?
The aorta is the main artery responsible for supplying blood to your body. It extends from your heart down through your chest and abdomen. As people age, the walls of the aorta in the abdomen can weaken and bulge, a condition known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This condition is most commonly found in men aged 65 and older.
Large aneurysms are uncommon but can pose significant risks. As the aorta expands, its walls weaken and may rupture, leading to internal haemorrhaging. Approximately 85 out of every 100 individuals succumb when an aneurysm ruptures. An aorta that is only slightly enlarged poses no risk. However, if the aorta measures between 3cm and 5.4cm, it is crucial to monitor it regularly to determine if it is enlarging.
Who is at risk?
Men are six times more likely to experience an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) than women, which is why women are generally not offered screening. However, it’s important to note that while the term "men" is used, some transgender women, non-binary individuals, and intersex people may also qualify for AAA screening. Aneurysms can happen in all men but chance of having an aneurysm increases with age and is more likely in men 65 and over.
Your chance of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if:
- You are or have ever been a smoker
- You have high blood pressure
- You have high cholesterol
- Your brother, sister or parent has, or has had, an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Why should you be screened?
If you have an aneurysm, you typically will not notice any symptoms. This means that you cannot easily tell if you have one, you won’t feel any pain, and you probably won’t notice any changes in your health.
The AAA screening test can help identify whether you have an aneurysm early on and determine if it needs to be monitored or treated. Even if you have an aneurysm, you may feel completely healthy, without any symptoms or pain.
If aneurysms are not detected and treated, they can lead to serious complications and become life-threatening. As the aorta's wall stretches, it becomes weaker and may rupture (burst), which can cause internal bleeding. In cases of internal bleeding, 8 out of 10 individuals may not survive. Treating an AAA early greatly reduces the chance of it causing serious problems.
AAA screening test
To find out if you have an AAA, a health professional will take an ultrasound scan (sonogram) of your abdomen, similar to that offered to pregnant women. These scans are safe, reliable, quick and painless.
It’s ok to eat before your scan. But if you can, avoid having a heavy meal to help the person doing your test get a clearer image.
At the clinic, the staff will check your personal details, explain the procedure for the scan, and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
You will be asked to lie down and lift up or unbutton your shirt; there is no need to undress completely. A cool gel will be applied to your abdomen.
The scanning sensor will then be moved over your skin, producing a picture of the aorta on a screen, which will be measured.
Your appointment will usually take no more than 30 minutes with the test itself taking around 10 minutes.
You will receive your results immediately, and a copy will also be sent to your GP practice.
You can find out more information about ultrasound scans HERE.
Or by reading the easy-to-read leaflet below.
AAA Screening Easy Read Leaflet
Test results
After the scan, the technician who performed the ultrasound will inform you of your results right away. You may receive one of four possible results:
- Normal result
- Small aneurysm
- Medium aneurysm
- Large aneurysm
You will also receive a letter detailing your results. If you have an aneurysm, your general practitioner (GP) will receive a copy of this letter so they can discuss the results with you.
It’s important to keep in mind that you may need to notify the DVLA about your aneurysm. Staying on top of these regulations helps ensure your safety and that of others on the road! Learn more about how to report your aneurysm to the DVLA HERE.
What do my results mean?
Normal result
Most people have a normal result, which means:
- no aneurysm was found
- you won’t need any further investigations or treatment
- you won’t need to be screened again, as it’s very unlikely you’ll develop an aneurysm that needs treatment
Small or medium aneurysm
If your aorta is slightly larger than average, you may receive a positive diagnosis for a small or medium aneurysm. Most aneurysms tend to grow slowly, and many individuals with small or medium-sized aneurysms may never need treatment. However, it is essential to regularly monitor the size of the aneurysm to track any changes, as treatment may become necessary if it develops into a large aneurysm.
To monitor its growth, your local screening center will schedule ultrasound scans for you at the following intervals:
- Every 12 months for a small aneurysm
- Every 3 months for a medium aneurysm
A healthcare professional will also provide guidance on measures to prevent your aneurysm from enlarging.
Large aneurysm
A large aneurysm indicates that your aorta is significantly larger than usual. Only a tiny fraction of individuals will experience a large aneurysm.
While large aneurysms are rare, they can pose serious risks. As the aorta's wall expands, it becomes more fragile, increasing the likelihood of rupture (bursting). If the aneurysm does rupture, it can result in life-threatening internal bleeding, leading to death in 8 out of 10 instances.
Your local screening center will refer you to a specialist consultant, who will:
• conduct further tests
• give you more comprehensive information
• talk about potential treatment options with you, which may include surgery.
You will have an appointment with a specialist within 2 weeks.
Lifestyle changes you can make if you’ve got an AAA
To try to prevent an AAA from getting bigger or bursting, consider making some lifestyle changes. You should:
Following this advice can also help you reduce your risk of developing an AAA.
How to get abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
Upon reaching the age of 65, you will be sent a letter that invites you to a scheduled appointment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. This correspondence is typically dispatched 3 to 6 weeks ahead of the appointment date.
AAA screenings are generally performed at GP practices, health centers, and occasionally in hospitals. If you need to reschedule your appointment or have not received an invitation letter but think you should have, please reach out to your local AAA screening service.
Participation in AAA screening is completely optional. The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms do not show any symptoms, making screening the most effective method for detection. Discovering an abdominal aortic aneurysm can greatly decrease the chances of it rupturing, which can be life-threatening.
If you choose not to participate in AAA screening, you can inform your local AAA screening service by calling them. However, if you later decide to go ahead with the screening, feel free to contact them again to arrange it.
If you need to change your appointment, you've not had an invitation letter and think you should have or wish to opt out, you can find your local AAA screening service here.
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