Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Scan That Saves Lives

A Preventable Catastrophe

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) — a bulge in the main abdominal artery — grows silently for years. It produces no symptoms. When it ruptures, 80% of victims die before reaching hospital. Yet a single abdominal ultrasound scan — quick, painless, inexpensive — identifies it with near-perfect accuracy when it can still be monitored or repaired safely.

Who Should Be Screened in Nigeria

FXMed tip: If any of this sounds familiar, our Functional Health Analysis may be exactly what you need. Book a free assessment to find out where your health stands today.

• All men aged 55 and over — AAA is predominantly a male condition
• Anyone with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling) who had an aortic aneurysm
• Current or ex-smokers over 50
• Those with known peripheral artery disease or coronary artery disease
• Anyone with poorly controlled hypertension over many years

What Happens After Screening

• Normal aorta (below 3cm): No further surveillance needed unless risk factors change
• Small aneurysm (3–4.4cm): Annual ultrasound surveillance
• Medium aneurysm (4.5–5.4cm): More frequent surveillance; discussion of elective repair
• Large aneurysm (5.5cm+): Referral for elective surgical or endovascular repair before rupture risk becomes critical

Vascular Health Management

Known aneurysms grow more slowly in those with optimal blood pressure, cholesterol, and who do not smoke. FXMed manages all these risk factors as part of our Longevity & Anti-Aging programme. We facilitate ultrasound scan referral for at-risk individuals and coordinate vascular surgery referral when the threshold for intervention is reached.

Book Your Vascular Screening

If you or a male relative over 55 has never had a vascular screening, contact FXMed today. This is one of the highest-value preventive health checks available for Lagos men.