The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the enlargement of the lower part of the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down through the chest into the tummy. It is a rare condition and does not cause any obvious symptom in early stage. It can get bigger over time and can burst. This is a life-threatening condition. The statistics has shown that such emergencies arriving the hospital on weekdays have a better survival chance than those who are admitted on the weekend. This is amongst other factors likely due to a prompt surgical intervention.

The occurence of AAA increases with increasing age. Mostly between 65 and 70 years of age. Men (4 – 8% of men aged 65 and over) are five times more affected than women (0,5 – 1,5%).

From the 1st of January 2018 all men aged 65 and above are invited to take the screening examination by ultrasound scan of the abdomen. Please make your appointment in our surgery if interested.

An information of the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance
Physicians (German language): Patienteninformation. Früherkennung: Bauchaortenaneurysma.