Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of checking if there’s a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your tummy.
This bulge or swelling is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA.
It can be serious if it’s not spotted early on because it could get bigger and eventually burst (rupture).
If you’re a man and registered with a GP, you’ll get a screening invitation in the post when you’re 64 or soon after your 65th birthday. However, any trans woman will have the same risk as a man and should consider accessing screening. You can then arrange an appointment that suits you.
If you’re a man over 65 and have not been screened before, you can ask for a test by contacting your local AAA screening service directly.
If you are trans it is important that your GP contacts the NHS AAA Screening Programme so you are invited for screening correctly. Please ensure you inform the Practice of your gender status, so that we can keep you safe.
If you do not want to be invited for AAA screening, you will need to let us know.