The Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme based at UHCW is available to all men aged 65 and over in Coventry and Warwickshire and will prevent hundreds of premature deaths.

The Coventry and Warwickshire AAA Screening Programme invites men for screening during the year they turn 65, while men over 65 who have not already been screened can arrange an appointment.

Around 5,000 people, most of them older men, die in England and Wales every year from abdominal aortic aneurysms, which are formed when the main blood vessel in the body weakens and expands. The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme aims to prevent around half of those deaths. Men are six times more likely than women to have an AAA, which is why only men are screened.

One such gent who was screened by the NHS Coventry and Warwickshire AAA Screening Programme, told UHCW his experience of screening: “The screening is a really simple ultrasound test that took less than 10 minutes. I was told there and then that they had found a large aneurysm and within six weeks I had my operation. My experience and the care I received from UHCW from initial diagnosis through to recovery was excellent.”

Nigel Wood, Programme Manager explains: "The screening test is a simple non-invasive ultrasound scan, similar to that offered to women in pregnancy, it only takes around 10 minutes and you receive your result straight away.

I would urge all men aged 65 and over in Coventry and Warwickshire to consider seriously the offer of screening, especially if they are in a high risk group.”

The risk of having an AAA is higher if you:

• Smoke or have ever smoked
• Have high blood pressure
• Have a close relative (parent or sibling) who has had an AAA.

In order that men can make an informed choice about whether to have an AAA Scan, they are encouraged to visit the AAA Screening decision aid. This was developed in conjunction with the National Shared Decision Making Programme and aims to help individual men make an informed decision about whether to take up the offer of screening based on an understanding of the potential benefits and risks of AAA screening and their own values. It can be accessed by visiting the following website: http://sdm.rightcare.nhs.uk/pda/aaa-screening.

If you would like to receive AAA Screening, please call the AAA Screening Programme Office for Coventry and Warwickshire on 01788 663428 or email: AAAScreeningProgramme@uhcw.nhs.uk with details of your NHS number.