Back to Health A to Z. Abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA screening is a test to check if there's a swelling in your aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the tummy abdomen. AAA screening is offered to all men over the age of Anyone assigned male at birth who is over the age of 64 can have it.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA screening is done to check if there are any swellings aneurysms in the main blood vessel in your tummy abdomen , called the aorta. The aorta runs from your heart down to your abdomen. AAA screening can help find an abdominal aortic aneurysm early.
This means it can be monitored and treated, if needed, so it's less likely to burst rupture , which can be life threatening. All men living in England are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA screening the year they turn AAA screening is recommended for anyone assigned male at birth. This includes men, trans women and non-binary people. Men are invited for AAA screening because they're more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
AAA screening is not usually offered to people with a lower risk of getting an abdominal aortic aneurysm, including:. If you're a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary, your need for AAA screening depends on the sex you were assigned at birth:. If you're registered as male with a GP, you'll be invited for AAA screening automatically the year you turn If you're registered as female with a GP, you may need to talk to the GP surgery or call your local AAA screening service to ask for an appointment.
If you're not eligible for AAA screening but you think you're at higher risk of getting an abdominal aortic aneurysm, talk to a GP about the possibility of getting a scan. During the year you turn 65, you'll get a letter inviting you for a pre-booked abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA screening appointment. AAA screening usually takes place at GP surgeries or health centres, and sometimes hospitals.
