Oldham leading way in life-saving scans

Oldham men will be among the first in the country to benefit from new life-saving screening.

The simple ultrasound scan takes around ten minutes and could halve death rates from an abdominal aortic aneurysm in men aged over 65.

The aorta is the main blood vessel for the body running from the heart through the chest and abdomen.

In older people, the aorta wall can weaken and bulge — and may burst. Older men are most at risk, so invitations are being sent out to locals in the year they turn 65.

An estimated 80,000 men aged between 65 and 74 are affected by the condition nationally. Undetected, it can be fatal and around 6,000 men die every year after it bursts.

The new programme will detect the condition early so monitoring or treatment can be offered.

More information can be found by visiting the national programme website at:

http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk