Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Otherwise known as AAA screening. 

The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme’s main aim is to reduce the number of deaths from ruptured AAAs through early detection, appropriate follow-on tests and treatment, by providing a systematic population-based screening programme for those eligible.

About the condition:

An AAA is a weakening and stretching of the main blood vessel (aorta) in the abdominal (tummy) area.  The aorta supplies blood to the body.

If you have an AAA there is a risk that it may split or tear (rupture). 

An AAA does not usually present with any symptoms, therefore, people do not know they have one. 

Main risk factors are being assigned (born) male at birth and age.  The risk can increase if you:

  • Smoke
  • have high blood pressure
  • have a close family history of this condition

The test

An ultrasound scan is used to test for an AAA. This takes, on average, approximately 10 minutes and results are usually given straight away.

Who is eligible for screening?

  • People assigned male at birth, who are registered with a GP as male and who are in their 65th year and older.
  • People assigned male at birth who are registered with their GP as female in their 65th year and older.
  • People assigned male at birth who are registered with their GP as non-binary in their 65th year and older.

 

People who have had an operation to repair an AAA are not eligible for screening.  Therefore, if you have had a repair for an AAA and have been invited for screening, please inform your local screening programme – see the ‘Who to contact’ section.

How to access screening?

Invitation letters are automatically sent out to:

  • People assigned male at birth who are registered with a GP as male in their 65th year.

People who will need to contact their local AAA screening programme to request to be screened:

  • People assigned male at birth who are registered with their GP as male who are over 65 years of age – see the ‘Who to contact’ section.
  • People assigned male at birth who are registered with their GP as female or non-binary and who are in their 65th year and older – see the ‘Who to contact’ section.

 

Within the Nottinghamshire AAA screening programme clinics are held mainly in community venues throughout the local area.  Please contact the Nottinghamshire screening programme to find out where your local clinic is.

Who to contact

The Nottinghamshire AAA screening programme office is open 9am – 5pm and is based at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham. 

Contact details are:

Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 82394 or 82378 – if you are leaving a voicemail message please include a forwarding telephone number.

Email: NUHNT.AAAScreeningProgramme@nhs.net

Address:

The Nottinghamshire AAA screening Programme, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen’s Medical Centre, F11 Curie Court, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH

Further information

  • Nottinghamshire AAA Screening Programme – contact details as above

 

NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme website

 

National information leaflet – also available in different languages

 

National NHS Screening Programmes information leaflet for trans people

 

Easy read national information leaflet

 

Decision aid