Private Abdominal
Aortic Aneurysm

The aorta is the largest artery in your body. It runs from your heart all the way down your abdomen, and it carries blood around your body from your heart.

Sometimes, the aorta develops a swelling, or a bulge called an aneurysm, which can be life-threatening if it’s not caught early.

Since an AAA very often causes no discomfort or obvious symptoms, it can remain undetected for a long time. 

Our AAA screening service allows us to identify an AAA and monitor it from an early stage.

AAA screening puts you in control of what’s going on in your tummy. 

If the scan identifies an AAA, you can monitor its progress and discuss surgical treatment options if there’s a risk of the aneurysm rupturing.

If no AAA is identified, then the screen gives you some reassurance and peace of mind. 

In England, AAA screening is routinely offered to men once they turn 65. This is because men aged 65 and over are most at risk of developing an AAA.

Others at an increased risk of an AAA include:

• Men or women with a parent, child, or sibling who also has an AAA
• Patients with high blood pressure
• Smokers and ex-smokers

Men under the age of 65 and women are typically less likely to develop an AAA, but if you’re concerned and haven’t been offered a scan, you can request one.

The good news is that an AAA screen is a simple and painless procedure. All it involves is an ultrasound scan of your tummy area, which is similar to the scan a pregnant woman receives. 

After the doctor or specialist gives you a chance to ask any questions you have, you simply lift up your top to expose your stomach.

The specialist applies a clear gel onto your skin and moves a handheld scanner over the area. 

Images from the scanner are projected on a screen, and, from here, the specialist can measure the size of your AAA.

You’ll receive the results instantly, and the whole procedure only takes around 15 minutes. 

If there’s a small AAA, you’ll be invited back for a yearly screen to monitor its growth.

If the AAA is larger, you’ll either be offered more frequent screens or advised to consider surgical treatment.

Surgery is usually only recommended to patients at risk of the AAA bursting. 

No significant preparation is required for this test. 

There is no particular type of care required after a Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm | AAA Screening ultrasound. You may resume your regular diet and daily activities unless your doctor advises you differently.

There are no confirmed adverse biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused by exposures to ultrasound at the intensity levels used in diagnostic ultrasound.

But depending on your particular results, the doctor may give you additional or alternative instructions after the procedure.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day.

We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health.

If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.