Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (AAA)

The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme’s main aim is to reduce the number of deaths from ruptured AAAs.

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.   

One of the main risk factors is being male. This includes transgender women who were assigned (born) male at birth. The risk increases with age and can also increase if you:

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

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