AAA screening event

A special event at an Age UK Camden resource centre gave men over 65 the chance to have a life-saving health check.

On Wednesday, Henderson Court Resource Centre in Hampstead offered men the opportunity to undergo Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening, as part of a week of health-related events at the centre. 

The screening – a quick ultrasound test - was conducted by staff from the Royal Free, which is commissioned by NHS North Central London (NCL) to provide AAA screening for the whole NCL area, including Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Barnet. NCL was one of the first areas to provide this service as part of a national roll-out across England that will be completed by March 2013.

Hilary Sales, AAA screening programme co-ordinator at the Royal Free, explained: "The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta weakens. It can start to expand and form what is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm or AAA.   

"Around 6,000 people nationally, mostly men aged 65 and over, die every year from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. The problem is that there are usually no symptoms so you cannot tell if you have one. The only way to find out is by having this screening – it takes around 15 minutes and is completely painless, and yet it could save your life.

"We're delighted that Age UK Camden worked with us to offer this life-saving test in a convenient community setting. We would encourage all men over 65 to take advantage of the screening, just call 020 7794 0500 x 38175 for more information."

An aorta which is only slightly larger than normal is not dangerous, but it's still important to know about it so that it can be monitored. Chances of having AAA can increase if: you smoke; you have high blood pressure or if your brother, sister or parent has, or has had, an AAA.

Alongside the screening, NHS Camden has been offering Age UK Camden service users NHS health checks and a wide array of related health information and advice this week.

Laurie White, manager at Age UK Camden's Henderson Court, said: "It's great to see both the Royal Free and NHS Camden lend their support to our health themed activities. 

"We are really hoping that the events will be a big boost to the health of our service users and are working with both the Royal Free and NHS Camden to develop regular health-based sessions for them. As we get older, it's more important than ever that we take every opportunity to keep ourselves in good shape, and take up the screening and health service offers available to us."