11 Preventive Health Screening Tests Doctors Recommend

10. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (one-time ultrasound for certain men)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening uses an ultrasound to look for dangerous enlargement of the main abdominal artery. A one-time ultrasound is usually recommended for men aged 65–75 who have ever smoked; other people with a strong family history or vascular disease should discuss testing with a clinician (USPSTF). What to expect: the ultrasound is noninvasive and brief; you lie on a table while a technician moves a probe over your abdomen. Preparation tips: many centers require no special prep, though some may ask you to avoid heavy meals beforehand. If an aneurysm is detected, vascular specialists may monitor its size with periodic imaging or recommend surgery if it reaches a threshold where rupture risk rises. Early detection through screening has reduced emergency surgeries and deaths in screened populations, especially among former smokers.