Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
On this page
The aim of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is to find bulges or swellings in the aorta (the main artery which runs through your chest and tummy) early and monitor or treat them. AAA screening doesn't look for other health conditions.
About AAA screening
Men aged 65 living in Scotland are automatically invited for a one-off ultrasound scan. The scan looks for swelling or bulges (aneurysms) in the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body.
AAA screening is a free. The test does not look for any other health conditions.
If you're over 65 and have never been for AAA screening, you can arrange an appointment.
NHS Highland delivers AAA screening at Raigmore Hospital (Inverness) and at a number of health centres around Highland. Your appointment will be at a centre nearest to where you live.
If you plan to take up your screening appointment let the screening centre know if you:
- need an interpreter
- have a disability
- need any additional help
AAA Screening - what to expect at your appointment
This Public Health Scotland video explains what an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is, who’s most at risk and what to expect at a AAA screening appointment.
Important: AAA screening at NHS inform
See more information at NHS inform about AAA screening, including information in BSL, other alternative languages, easy read, audio and other formats.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screeningImportant: AAA screening information in Easy Read format
We want health screening information to be accessible to everyone.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (Easy Read)Important: Screening for the transgender community
No matter which, if any, gender you identify with, it’s important you’re aware of which screening services you’re eligible for.
Screening information for the transgender communityHealth screening
-
Screening programmes
Screening aims to identify people who are at risk of having a particular disease or medical condition before they sho...
-
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
The aim of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is to find bulges or swellings in the aorta (the main artery whi...
-
Bowel screening
Bowel screening is offered to people aged 50 to 74 across Scotland to help find bowel cancer early, when it can often...
-
Breast screening
Breast screening is a test for breast cancers that are too small to see or feel.
-
Cervical screening
Cervical screening (smear test) is a quick test to check your cervix (neck of the womb) for the Human Papilloma Virus...
-
Diabetic eye screening
Diabetic eye screening (DES) is also known as diabetic retinopathy (or retinal) screening (DRS).
-
Pre-school vision screening
Pre-school vision screening - also called See4School - is an eye test for nursery-aged children. It detects reduced v...