An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is an ultrasound test. It checks for signs of an aneurysm in the large blood vessel that runs through your belly. Not everyone needs an AAA screening. Healthcare providers recommend it for people most at risk of an AAA, including those age 65 to 75 with a history of tobacco use. It can save your life.
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An abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is a quick and painless ultrasound test. It checks for signs of a bulge in the part of your aorta that extends through your belly. This bulge is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA screenings help find aneurysms early. This gives your healthcare provider a chance to treat the aneurysm before it bursts (ruptures).
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It’s possible to have an AAA and not realize it. That’s because AAAs can get bigger slowly and silently over many years. Most people have no warning signs or symptoms until the aneurysm ruptures. This is a medical emergency that causes internal bleeding and is usually fatal.
Healthcare providers recommend a one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for people ages 65 to 75 at the greatest risk for an AAA. These include people who have a history of tobacco use or a biological family member diagnosed with an AAA.
Your provider may suggest an AAA screening outside this typical age range in some situations:
Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should have an AAA screening. You may also see an alert on your electronic health record.
Healthcare providers use an abdominal ultrasound to screen you for an AAA. This method of testing:
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The test takes pictures of the inside of your belly, including your aorta. These pictures show the width of your aorta and can reveal if you have an aneurysm.
Ultrasound is an accurate way to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms. The Society for Vascular Surgery recommends it as the preferred imaging method for AAA screenings.
You don’t need to do anything to prepare for an AAA screening. You may want to talk with your provider about why you need the test and when you’ll receive the results.
An ultrasound technician will:
An abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is safe. There aren’t any known risks.
You can go home right after the screening is done. Your healthcare provider will schedule a time to discuss the results with you.
Your AAA screening may show:
If the screening shows you have an AAA, your provider will tell you the next steps and what you can expect. In general, if your aorta measures more than 5.5 cm (or more than 5.0 cm with additional risk factors for rupture), your provider might recommend a surgical intervention.
Otherwise, depending on the size of your abdominal aorta, your provider might recommend periodic imaging to monitor for growth of your aorta:
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, you should tell your close biological family members. They may be candidates for screenings and should talk to their providers to learn more.
Call your healthcare provider if you:
AAA screenings can be lifesaving. But sometimes, knowing you have an aneurysm can make you feel anxious about the future. In most cases, small aneurysms have a very low chance of rupturing and won’t cause you any immediate danger. Your provider will closely watch the aneurysm for signs of growth. They’ll let you know if you need treatment.
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Meanwhile, try not to worry. Instead, talk to your provider about ways to manage your risk factors. Don’t hesitate to reach out anytime you have questions or concerns about your condition.
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Last reviewed on 05/21/2025.
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