Calling all men aged over 65 years in Ayrshire and Arran

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is encouraging men over 65 years and who live in

Ayrshire and Arran to attend their Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

screening appointment.

AAA screening is the simplest and best way to find out if you have an aneurysm, and

all Ayrshire and Arran men aged 65 years are being invited to attend an AAA

screening appointment.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is encouraging men living in Ayrshire and Arran, aged 65 to

come along to the short, ultrasound appointment which could end up saving their life.

Lynne McNiven Director of Public Health for NHS Ayrshire & Arran said:

“As some people get older, the wall of the aorta can become weak and balloon out to form an

aneurysm. The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over.

“We want to remind men living in Ayrshire and Arran about the importance of

attending their AAA screening appointment when invited. Attending the 10-minute

screening greatly reduces the chance of the AAA causing serious problems.”

Men aged 65 will be sent an appointment to attend their screening and for those

over the age of 65 - you are able to self-refer by telephoning 01294 323134 to make

an appointment.

The appointment includes a short, pain-free ultrasound scan where the person doing

your test will ask you to lie down and lift up, or unbutton, your shirt. They will apply a

cool jelly to your abdomen and move a small scanner over your skin to take

measurements of your aorta from an image on a screen.

Lynne McNiven added:

“The ultrasound scan is very reliable, completely safe, painless and very quick. You will get your results straight away.

“You’re unlikely to have any symptoms if you have an AAA and this means that you

can’t tell if you have one, as you won’t feel any pain or notice anything different so it

is important to attend you appointment when invited.”