Sponsored by
NHS Tayside to roll out AAA screening
A SIMPLE scan aimed at detecting a condition which affects one in 20 men is now being rolled out by NHS Tayside and NHS Fife.
As part of a national screening programme, men aged 65 will be invited to attend a local clinic to receive an ultrasound scan which can detect Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) – a condition that affects the aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart down through the chest and abdomen.
As people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out, forming an aneurysm. AAA is most common in men aged 65 and over and it is estimated that one in 20 men aged 65 in Scotland have an AAA. Most are unaware that they have the condition and will have no symptoms. For many men the rupture of the aneurysm is the very first sign of the problem.
Ruptures can result in death – around eight in 10 ruptures will prove fatal.
Exactly what causes AAA is unclear, however high cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure can add to the risk of developing an aneurysm.
The screening programme will invite all 65-year-old men for an ultrasound scan of the abdomen with results of the scan being given to the patient there and then. Men over 65 can self refer. The AAA ultrasound is quick and simple and similar to that used routinely to monitor pregnant women.
Screening is used to detect aneurysms of all sizes. The patient can be offered an operation to treat a large aneurysm before it has a chance to rupture. Where a smaller aneurysm is detected, follow on scans will be offered and advice given on lifestyle changes to improve the health of the patient’s blood vessels.
NHS Tayside Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Julie Cavanagh said: “I would hope that every man who receives an invitation for AAA screening will use the information provided to come to a decision about taking up this screening invitation.
“Screening for AAA is important as you are unlikely to have any symptoms, feel any pain or notice anything different and so may not be aware that there is a potential problem.
“Screening ensures that we find aneurysms early and monitor or treat them. This greatly reduces the chance of the aneurysm rupturing and causing serious problems.”
The first screening clinic in Tayside will be held in Kings Cross Health and Community Care Centre on January 28 and will be rolled out to other areas across Tayside during the course of the year.
For further information on AAA screening call the NHS inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 or visit the Screening Scotland website at www.nhsinform.co.uk/screening
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Brechin
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
