AAA screening programme

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening

Five Rivers AAA Screening Programme – screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

We screen patients in north east Essex and east Suffolk and hold clinics in:

• Colchester
• Coggeshall
• Clacton
• Harwich
• Ipswich (including Ipswich Hospital)
• Felixstowe
• Stowmarket
• Eye
• Aldeburgh
• Framlingham

Who can be screened for AAA?

The NHS invites all men for screening in the year they turn 65.

Men aged over 65 who have not been screened before can contact the Five Rivers AAA Screening team based at Colchester Hospital.

You can phone us on:

• 01206 746 283
• 01206 746 282

or email chu-ftr.5riversaaa@nhs.net

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak. It can then start to expand and form an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over.

What will happen at screening?

We use a simple ultrasound scan, like that offered to pregnant people.

This is very quick and usually lasts less than 10 minutes.

We will check your personal details when you come to your appointment. We will also explain what is going to happen in the scan and give you the chance to ask any questions.

We will ask you to lie down and lift up or unbutton your shirt. We will put a cool gel on your abdomen. We will then slide the scanning sensor over your skin.

The scan will show a picture of the aorta on a screen and we will measure it. We will tell you the results straight away and send a copy to your GP practice.