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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

AAA Screening  is when we check to see if someone has an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

This page gives information about our AAA screening programme. It also tells you how to contact the AAA screening office.

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen.

In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak. It can then start to expand and form an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme

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

We offer screening so we can find aneurysms early and monitor or treat them. This greatly reduces the chances of the aneurysm causing serious problems.

For this reason, the government have set up an NHS AAA Screening Programme with the aim of detecting aneurysms in people with no symptoms. The easiest way to find out if you have an aneurysm is to have an ultrasound scan of your abdomen.

The AAA screening check is a simple free ultrasound scan.

Who can be screened?

The NHS invites all men for screening in the year they turn 65.

What about men aged over 65?

Men aged over 65 who have not been screened before can contact their local service to arrange a test.

AAA Screening at the Royal Liverpool

AAA screening takes place in the community across Cheshire and Merseyside, five days a week. We can also arrange for a screening check to be undertaken at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

Contact Us

AAA Screening Office

Please contact the AAA screening office on 0151 706 4767 to enquire about AAA screening, cancel or change an appointment.

Other information and leaflets are available in other languages and an easy read format.

 

Where can I find out more information?

You can find information about the NHS AAA Screening Programme at www.nhs.uk/aaa

You can read an online version of the AAA screening leaflet at www.gov.uk/phe/aaa-screening-leaflet