Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening

Category: Screening Tests · All screening tests

What it is

AAA screening is a one-off ultrasound scan of the abdominal aorta offered to men in the year they turn 65 (in the UK programme). It measures the aorta's diameter: normal results discharge you; small aneurysms enter surveillance scans at intervals; large ones are referred to vascular surgeons.

Why it is done

Most burst aneurysms are fatal, and aneurysms grow silently. Screening and timely planned repair of large aneurysms substantially reduce aneurysm deaths in the screened population.

How to prepare

No preparation is needed; you may be asked to wear loose clothing. The scan is quick and painless. Men over 65 who were never invited can self-refer in many programmes; women and younger people are screened only if clinically indicated.

What happens during the procedure

You lie on a couch and an ultrasound probe with gel moves over your abdomen, measuring the aorta's width on screen. It takes about 10 minutes and the result is given immediately in most programmes.

Afterwards — recovery & results

Normal: no further screening. Small aneurysm (3.0–4.4 cm): yearly surveillance scans. Medium (4.5–5.4 cm): scans every three months. Large (5.5 cm or more): referral to a vascular team to discuss repair. You will also get cardiovascular risk advice, because aneurysm and heart risk travel together.

Risks & considerations

No physical risks. Possible downsides are anxiety from surveillance and detection of aneurysms that would never have ruptured — balanced by the programme's demonstrated mortality benefit in men at 65.

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Frequently asked questions

Why only men?

Aneurysms are several times more common in men, and the evidence of screening benefit is strongest for men at 65. Women with risk factors (smoking, family history) should discuss individual assessment.

My aneurysm is small — will it definitely grow?

Not necessarily — growth is usually slow (a few millimetres a year) and some stay stable. Surveillance catches the minority that approach repair size.

Related procedures — Screening Tests

Bone density screening decisions (who needs DEXA)Bowel cancer screening (FIT kit)Cervical screening (smear test)Diabetic eye screening (retinal photography)Lung cancer screening (low-dose CT for high-risk smokers)Mammogram (screening)

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Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.