The NHS Central England Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme is aimed at men aged 65 and over within Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell, South East Staffordshire and East Staffordshire.

AAA screening is a way of detecting swelling of the aorta – the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, through the abdomen and to the rest of the body.

This type of swelling is more common in men aged over 65 than it is in women and younger men, so men are invited for screening in the year they turn 65. Men who have not received screening over the age of 65 can contact the programme to request a scan.

Men are approximately six times more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women. The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if:

• you smoke
• you have high blood pressure
• a brother, sister or parent has, or has had, an AAA

If you have an aneurysm you will not usually notice any symptoms. This means you can't tell if you have one, you will not feel any pain and will probably not notice anything different.

The programme offers screening so aneurysms or swelling can be found early and monitored or treated. This greatly reduces the chance of the aneurysm causing serious problems.

Screening uses a simple ultrasound scan, similar to that offered to pregnant women. This is very quick and usually lasts less than ten minutes.

At the clinic, staff will check your personal details, explain the scan and give you the chance to ask any questions. You will be asked to lie down, then a cool gel will be applied to your abdomen and a small ultrasound scanner will be moved over your skin. The scan will show a picture of the aorta on a screen and it will be measured by staff carrying out the scan. Your results will be available straight away and a copy will be sent to your GP practice.

If your abdominal aorta:

• has no aneurysm present – you won't need to come back for another screening
• is abnormal (small to medium aneurysm) – you will be invited back for regular scans to check its size
• is abnormal (large AAA) – you will be referred to hospital to be seen by a vascular surgeon within two weeks. You will then be advised about treatment.

Clinic locations

The AAA screening programme is available in the following locations.

More information

For further information or to arrange an appointment please contact the programme staff.

Telephone: 0121 424 3612/0121 424 1200
Email: aaa.screening@heartofengland.nhs.uk