Imaging
AAA ultrasound
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening · AAA screening
One-time screen for older men who ever smoked — detects a usually-silent condition with high mortality if it ruptures.
What it measures
Abdominal ultrasound measuring the diameter of the abdominal aorta. Aneurysm = diameter ≥3 cm; surgical consideration typically at 5.5 cm in men or 5.0 cm in women.
Reference context
3 guideline sources
A single normal ultrasound at age 65 essentially excludes meaningful AAA risk for the rest of life in most men.
Population context — consult guideline targets below
Mechanism
Why moving this marker matters
AAA prevalence is ~1.5% in men over 65; rupture mortality exceeds 80%. Most aneurysms are clinically silent until rupture. One-time screening detects the slow-growing majority.
Guideline targets
What major guidelines recommend
Common reference (normal)
<3.0 cm
ESVS (surveillance)
3.0–5.4 cm men / 3.0–4.9 cm women — periodic surveillance
ESVS (intervention threshold)
≥5.5 cm men / ≥5.0 cm women — consider repair
How to measure
The test, where to get it, when to repeat
Method
Non-invasive abdominal ultrasound, 10–15 minutes. No preparation needed.
Where
Hospital radiology, GP-linked screening services. Many EU countries offer organised screening for eligible men.
Typical cost
Public: free for eligible cohorts. Private: €60–150.
Fasting
Not required
When to test
USPSTF 2019
65–75maleOne-time screening for men 65–75 who have ever smoked.
NHS AAA Screening Programme
65maleOne-time ultrasound for men in the year they turn 65.
ESVS 2024
Selective screening for women with risk factors; not recommended universally.
Where to scan
Providers offering this imaging study
These providers offer the scan directly to consumers. You book and pay with them; the imaging report lives on their platform. Healicus is not in the clinical chain.
Healicus is not the provider. Your contract for the service is with whoever you choose. Links labelled Sponsored are paid affiliate relationships; unlabelled links are editorial reference only. See our disclosure for the full policy.
Context
Reading the numbers
A single normal ultrasound at age 65 essentially excludes meaningful AAA risk for the rest of life in most men.
Caveats
Women have lower prevalence but worse rupture-survival ratios. Family history of AAA is a meaningful risk factor.
Take to your physician
Worth discussing
- Whether you qualify under the local programme.
- Whether family history changes screening considerations.
- If an aneurysm is found, the surveillance schedule and intervention threshold.
Sources
Cited literature
Edited by Carl Pöhl, MD · Healicus editorial
Last reviewed May 2026
Keep reading
← Previous
Imaging
Low-dose CT (lung)
The only screening test demonstrated to reduce lung cancer mortality in high-risk adults.
Next →
Imaging
Dermatological skin check
Annual full-body skin check by a dermatologist, with dermatoscopy where lesions warrant — the standard for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer detection.