Vascular~15–20 min
AAA Ultrasound Screening
A fast ultrasound screening to detect silent, dangerous widening in the main artery of your abdomen.
AAA ultrasound is the gold-standard screening test for abdominal aortic aneurysm — a silent, potentially life-threatening arterial dilatation that is highly treatable when detected early. The scan measures the abdominal aorta and flags any abnormal enlargement (≥3.0 cm).
Book This Evaluation
A simple ultrasound scan of the abdomen quickly measures the aorta to detect any silent, dangerous enlargement.
The Aneurysm That Gives No Warning
The aorta is the body's main pipe, running down through the abdomen at about 2 cm wide. In some people the wall weakens and balloons out — an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It causes no symptoms while it grows, but if it bursts the bleeding is catastrophic and most people do not reach hospital in time.
The reason this matters is that a known aneurysm is very treatable. Found early and watched, it can be repaired electively — a planned procedure with an excellent outcome — long before it becomes dangerous. A single ultrasound scan is all it takes to find one.
The reason this matters is that a known aneurysm is very treatable. Found early and watched, it can be repaired electively — a planned procedure with an excellent outcome — long before it becomes dangerous. A single ultrasound scan is all it takes to find one.
The Scan Itself
Avoid food for four to six hours beforehand so that bowel gas does not obscure the view; sips of water and regular medication are fine. Gel is applied to the abdomen and the probe is pressed over the midline to measure the aorta along its length. It is painless, uses no radiation, and takes 15 to 20 minutes. If an aneurysm is found, the single most important number is its maximum diameter.
What the Measurement Means
Management follows the maximum diameter:
- Under 3.0 cm — normal, no aneurysm
- 3.0–3.9 cm — small; a repeat scan every two to three years
- 4.0–4.9 cm — moderate; yearly scans
- 5.0–5.4 cm — large; scans every three to six months
- 5.5 cm or more, or growing quickly — the point at which planned repair usually outweighs the risk of leaving it, and a CT scan is arranged
Who Should Be Screened in Singapore
A one-off screening scan is most worthwhile for:
- Men aged 65 and over, especially anyone who has ever smoked — the highest-risk group
- Women over 65 with smoking history and other cardiovascular risk factors
- Anyone with a parent or sibling who had an aortic aneurysm
- People with known atherosclerosis elsewhere, or a connective tissue condition such as Marfan syndrome
- Privately in Singapore an AAA screening scan costs roughly SGD 150 to SGD 300
After the Scan
A normal aorta on a good-quality scan in someone over 65 is highly reassuring and generally needs no repeat. Where a small or moderate aneurysm is found, Dr. Chang sets up a surveillance schedule and focuses hard on the two things that slow growth and cut rupture risk — stopping smoking completely and controlling blood pressure. Referral to a vascular surgeon happens well before the aneurysm reaches the repair threshold, so there is time to plan.
AAA Ultrasound Screening: Common Questions
Ready to Schedule Your AAA Ultrasound Screening?
Most evaluations are available on the same day as your consultation with Dr. Peter Chang at Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore.