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Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms |
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Beginning January 1, 2007, the Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act includes an aortic aneurysm screening for seniors as a Medicare benefit. This service will be honored at UCSD Medical Center. |
Learn About the Importance of AAA Screening |
The SAAAVE allows for a one-time AAA screening:
- At the "Welcome to Medicare" physical for qualified seniors (This physical must be conducted within the first six months of enrollment in Medicare), who are in one of these two categories:
- For men or women with a family history of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) or;
- For men who currently smoke or who have ever smoked more than 100 cigarettes during their lifetime.
- Click here to learn more about the AAA screening Medicare benefit.
What Are Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms?An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an enlargement or “bulge” that develops in a weakened area within the largest artery in the abdomen. The pressure generated by each heartbeat pushes against the weakened aortic wall, causing the aneurysm to enlarge. After a certain size is reached, the risk of an aneurysm rupture increases size, the risk is higher. Aneurysm rupture can occur at any time and most aneurysms rupture without warning signs and sypmtoms. When this happens there is massive internal bleeding, a situation that is usually fatal.
An AAA can be safely treated or cured with early diagnosis. Nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with AAA annually, and approximately 15,000 die each year from a ruptured AAA. AAA is a disease that primarily affects people in their late 50s and 60s. The only way to break this cycle is to find the AAA before it ruptures. Ultrasound screening is a safe and accurate means to accomplish this.
Schedule Your Screening
If you qualify for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening and would like to schedule an appointment, please call (800) 926-8273.
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Medical Offices South
4168 Front Street, Third Floor
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 543-6248 |