NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (AAA)

NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (AAA)

Keeping Well

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening is a simple ultrasound test free of charge to all men in the year they turn 65.

Screening is offered to detect dangerous swellings of the aorta, the primary blood vessel connecting the heart to the rest of the body. AAA's are most common in men over 65.

Aneurysms can happen in any blood vessel but one of the more common sites is the abdominal aorta. When an AAA occurs, the walls of the artery weaken, causing the blood vessel to expand and balloon out.

If expansion continues, the artery walls continue to weaken and may eventually rupture. A rupture is extremely dangerous. Around eight out of 10 people who suffer a ruptured AAA will die before they get to hospital or during surgery.

An AAA generally causes no symptoms. This means that you cannot tell if you have one, as you will not feel any pain or notice anything different.

With screening, an AAA can be detected before it ruptures.

The NHS offers screening in order to find aneurysms early so they can be checked regularly or treated if needed. The easiest way to find out if you have an aneurysm is to have an ultrasound scan of your abdomen.

It’s up to you to decide if you want to be screened for AAA. While there are clear benefits of screening, you should also consider the possible risks.

There is no risk from the screening test itself, but there is a risk of anxiety from being told you have a life-threatening condition or complications of surgery carried out to treat an AAA.

You’ll get a leaflet with your screening invitation to help you make a decision. You can also access information at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/

Please call us if you wish to discuss your options or if you wish to decline screening.

How to Find Us

Russells Hall Hospital,

Pensnett Road,

DUDLEY,

West Midlands,

DY1 2HQ

Get Directions

Costs and Booking Information

Booking Required?

Yes

Group Information

Coverages:

All of Dudley Borough

Target Audiences:

Older People, Adults

Suitable for ages:

Age 64+

Facilities:

Parking available, Toilet facilities, Wheelchair accessible, Registered Changing Places, Disabled toilet, Lift available, Disabled Parking

Notes

Eligibility Notes:

Registered male (either at appointment time or at birth)

Referral Notes:

All registered men turning 65 are automatically invited, if for any reason they did not attend their appointment they can self refer by contacting us to make an appointment on 01384 321125, (you will need your NHS number)

Service Information

Categories:

Keeping Well

Eligibility Requirements?

Links for Information

Related Services & Pages

NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (AAA) View Gallery

Last updated 30th Jul 2024

You can find what you are looking for by adding keywords to the search bar. Need help searching this website?

This Website Uses Cookies

cookies
Our website uses cookies. By continuing, we assume your permission to deploy cookies as detailed in our Cookie Policy. Alternatively, select Manage Cookies to learn more about how we use cookies and customise your options.