Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Common Questions Answered

A swelling of the main artery running through the abdomen.

Key takeaways

• Screening: offered to men in England at 65
• The test: a single abdominal ultrasound, painless, a few minutes
• Most useful single change: Attend the screening invitation at 65.
• Commonest mistake: Ignoring the screening invitation because you feel well.
• See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.

What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

A swelling of the main artery running through the abdomen.

Why does it matter?

It usually causes no symptoms until it ruptures, which is frequently fatal, and a single ultrasound at 65 finds most of them.

The test for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

A single abdominal ultrasound, painless, a few minutes.

Main risk factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

Smoking, high blood pressure, age, family history.

Most are for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

Symptomless until rupture.

Small aneurysms for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

Monitored rather than operated on.

What is the single most useful thing to do?

Attend the screening invitation at 65.

What is the most common mistake?

Ignoring the screening invitation because you feel well.

When should I see a doctor?

Call 999 immediately for sudden severe pain in the abdomen, back or lower back, especially with dizziness, fainting, sweating or a pulsating feeling in the abdomen — a ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening emergency. Seek urgent advice for any new severe abdominal or back pain if you are known to have an aneurysm.

Where to go next

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Quick Reference
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm — the reference entry
• Bowel Cancer Screening: What Published Guidance Supports
• Testicular Self-Checks: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise

When to speak to a doctor

Call 999 immediately for sudden severe pain in the abdomen, back or lower back, especially with dizziness, fainting, sweating or a pulsating feeling in the abdomen — a ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening emergency. Seek urgent advice for any new severe abdominal or back pain if you are known to have an aneurysm.

Where this comes from

• NHS — Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
• UK National Screening Committee — AAA screening

How this page was put together

Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.

Medical disclaimer

This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.