This in from Public Health England, in their own words. Ed
Around 1 in every 70 men, aged 65 years in England, has an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
An AAA is a dangerous swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body.
If left untreated, the aneurysm can rupture and eight out of every ten people with a ruptured AAA die before they reach hospital or don’t survive the emergency surgery.
This is the first time figures from the screening programme have been published since the completion of its national rollout across England in April 2013.
All men over 65 to be screened
Now, all men aged 65 are invited to be screened and those over the age of 65 can self-refer through their GP.
Mr Lee McLeod, from Middlesex said:
“I was totally surprised when I was told I had a large aneurysm as I felt fine. I left hospital six days after surgery, promising myself a healthier, more active lifestyle. I now feel great and would encourage every man aged 65 to get screened. It only takes 10 minutes and it could be one of the best decisions you ever make.”
Dr Anne Mackie, Director of Programmes for the UK National Screening Committee and NHS Screening Programmes said:
“It is fantastic that in the first full year of the screening programme more than 270,000 men were screened. More than 3,700 of them were found to have aneurysms and were offered follow up and treatment.”
Essential in the prevention of premature deaths
Michael Wyatt, Honorary Secretary for the Vascular Society said:
“We are delighted to see that so many men in England have benefited by having elective repairs through the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme.
“This programme is essential in the prevention of premature deaths in men aged 65 years and over and has the full support of the Vascular Society.”
Image: militaryhealth under CC BY 2.0
