More than 2,500 men screened for potential aneurysms in the past 12 months
More than 2,500 men in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin were screened for potential aneurysms over a 12-month period, figures revealed today.
More than 2,500 men in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin were screened to check if they had a dangerous swelling of the main blood vessel from the heart over a 12-month period, figures revealed today.
The aorta is the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body. Ruptured aortas kill 6,000 men in the UK every year – and there are no tell-tale symptoms to serve as a warning.
All men over the age of 65 are invited to take the opportunity to get themselves checked out as part of the National Abdominal Aortic Screening Programme (NAAASP). The programme aims to reduce deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) through early detection, appropriate monitoring and treatment.
Organisers of the programme today revealed a total of 1 million men have been screened across the country since the national programme launched in 2009 to see if they have an aneurysm of the aorta.
Since the start of the programme, well over 10,000 aneurysms have been detected that need monitoring or treatment and more than 2,000 men with large aneurysms, measuring 5.5cm or wider, have been referred for successful surgical repairs.
In Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin 2,664 men were screened in 2014-15, with 41 aneurysms detected. Since AAA screening launched in the county on 1 April 2012 a total of 9,699 men have been screened with 145 aneurysms detected.
Mr Tim Sykes, a Vascular Surgeon and Shrewsbury and Telford & Wrekin AAA Screening Programme Director, said: “For some people as they get older the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can weaken and start to expand to form an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
“Large aneurysms are rare but can be very serious. As the wall of the aorta expands it becomes weaker and can burst, causing internal bleeding. This is a medical emergency. Sadly, around 85 out of 100 people die when an aneurysm bursts and ruptured AAA deaths account for around 2.1% of all deaths in men aged 65 and over.
“Research has demonstrated that offering men ultrasound screening in their 65th year should reduce the rate of premature death from ruptured AAA by up to 50 per cent.
“Men aged 65 and over are most at risk from the condition and are six times more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women, which is why women are not offered the screening.
“People who have an aneurysm will not usually notice any symptoms and therefore screening is vital to detecting aneurysms early to ensure monitoring or treatment where required.”
AAA screening is offered to all men registered with a GP during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not been screened can self-refer by contacting their local screening programme directly.
The aim of screening is to detect and treat large aneurysms early in order to reduce the number of premature deaths from ruptured aneurysms.
The screening test is a simple ultrasound scan that looks for a weakness and enlargement of the aorta, the main blood vessel in the body. The results are available straight away.
The screening is undertaken in the community within GP practices. Aneurysms are classed in three categories. Men with a small aneurysm are offered annual surveillance while men with a medium aneurysm are offered surveillance every three months. If a large aneurysm is detected men are referred to a surgeon.
Patients can contact the local AAA screening programme for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to self-refer or for further information by calling 01743 261048.
