AAAneurysm Outreach To Host Health Screening In Oxford Feb. 8 

“I had a motorcycle accident and they found it,” said David McDonald.

The 60-year-old told his story about years of living with an aneurysm, and how a second one nearly killed him. Three years after the accidental discovery of his abdominal aortic aneurysm, he had heart problems and went for further medical tests. The aneurysm had grown, and he needed surgery.
“While I was in surgery, a second AAA was discovered because it ruptured,” he said.
McDonald believes he is lucky to be alive, and he encourages other Mississippi residents to be screened.
Surgery Consultants of Oxford, AAAneurysm Outreach and W.L. Gore will provide free screenings Feb. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon to discover blockages in carotid arteries and abdominal aortic aneurysms at the surgery center at 2169 S. Lamar Blvd. in Oxford, Mississippi.
“It’s so simple that it’s worth doing. And the potential lifesaving makes it worth doing,” said Alden Kirk, M.D. “There’s no pain at all. The problem is if you have a AAA and it ruptures, the death rate is astronomical.”
An 8-hour fast is required and advance registration is encouraged; however, walk-ins are welcome. Call (888) 871-3801 for an appointment.
Individuals must meet eligibility requirements for the screening. Individuals 60 and older who have at least two cardiovascular risk factors and men age 55 and older with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor are eligible for the screening once every five years.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a ballooning of the abdominal aorta, the artery that carries blood to the lower part of the body. This type of aneurysm rupture is the third leading cause of sudden death in men 60 and older in the United States. It is estimated that more than 1 million people are living today with an undiagnosed AAA. Risk factors for AAA include a history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries.

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