InsideVue abdominal aortic aneurysm screening £80

About 1 in 20 people in the UK over the age of 65 develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

It is 6 times more common in men than women. The main concern is that the aneurysm might rupture. If this happens, severe internal bleeding occurs which is often fatal.

The chance of rupture is low if the abdominal aortic aneurysm remains small (1 in a 100 if less than 55mm). However, the chance of rupture rises with increasing size. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are a comparatively infrequent cause of death but research studies suggest that a routine ultrasound scan is worthwhile for all men aged 65 and over. InsideVue offers a rapid AAA screening service to patients

With advancing age there is a build-up of fat and scale within the arteries that can weaken the wall of the artery. This is called atheroma or atherosclerosis. Certain risk factors increase the chance of atheroma forming. They include:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Raised serum cholesterol level
• Taking little exercise
• Obesity

Rare causes include:

• Traumatic injury
• Hereditary conditions, such as Marfans's syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Genetic - first degree relatives have a high risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysms.

• Mild abdominal pains
  
• Back pain
  
• Small blood clots might form on the inside lining of the aneurysm. These may break away and block a smaller artery further on.