A simple 10-minute heart scan that could save your life

The Rotherham United Community Sports Trust walking football group were visited by South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) programme.

The group was formed to get men over the age of 50 back into sport to improve their level of fitness but at a more leisurely pace. Members are also made aware about health and well-being issues.

A potentially life-threatening abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling of the main blood vessel that leads away from the heart. It mostly causes no noticeable symptoms. A painless scan is offered to men aged 65 and over.

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Babatunde Fakolade, AAA screening programme manager, said : “Around 1 in 70 men aged 65 in England has an AAA and around 3,000 deaths occur each year in men aged 65 and over from ruptured AAA.

“Men who have AAA will not normally notice any symptoms, which is why screening is so important. The test is simple, non-invasive and usually takes less than 10 minutes.”

If you’re male, over the age of 65 and have not yet been screened, contact the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw AAA Screening Programme on 01709 649100.

For more information and details on screening locations, go toaaa.dbh.nhs.uk