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Michael McShane discovered he had a small aneurysm after visiting the Royal Free hospital |
Life-saving free service that can detect deadly aneurysms
AORTIC aneurysms can strike without warning – in some severe cases rupturing the main artery leading to the heart causing almost instant death.
It occurs when the wall of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, weakens and expands, causing a leakage of blood into the body.
Around one in 20 men over 65 develop aneurysms and it is five times more common in men than women. Aneurysms can be treated with medicine and through surgery – but doctors cannot help unless it is spotted at an early stage.
Michael McShane, 65, had a small aneurysm detected at the Royal Free after taking advantage of a free screening service for pensioners at the Hampstead hospital.
He said: “It was a bit of a shock because I had no idea I had a problem. You can have all the money in the world, but if you haven’t got your health you’ve got nothing.
“I think it’s good to take advantage of these checks. Fore-warned is fore-armed, as they say.”
Mr McShane grew up in an orphanage in Mill Hill East before moving in with adoptive parents in King’s Cross, and later living in Chalk Farm. One of 12 brothers and sisters, he has lived in Camden all his life. While a pupil of Haverstock school, he took jobs working on construction sites and has worked in the building trade all his like. He met his wife, Patricia, in a coffee bar in Prince of Wales Road and the couple are soon to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Mr McShane said: “I’ve had quite a tough life, and so has Patricia – but we’ve always been strong together.
“I’ve done things that would make a grown man cry. I used to work on motorways and on building sites, aged 13. I was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). About a year and a half ago I had a problem with balance and had an MRI scan at the Royal Free. I got a letter through the door asking if I wanted to come in and have a scan. I had a scan – the kind of scan they use for checking babies I think, with jelly on the belly.”
Despite being in regular contact with the health services, Mr McShane’s doctor did not know he had a problem with his aorta. But because of the free NHS service at the Royal Free he is now known to the health services. His doctor has prescribed some pills to help lower his cholesterol and stop his arteries getting clogged up.
Mr McShane, who has just got back from a holiday in Spain with his son and grandchildren, says he is feeling well for his age.
Orla Trainor, aneurysm screening co-ordinator at the hospital, said: “Aneurysms develop very slowly over many years, and can be detected by a quick and painless ultrasound.
“Large aneurysms can be serious, but they are rare. We are offering screening for men in north central London as a preventive measure.”
Medical therapy involves strict blood pressure control that can limit the expansion of the aneurysm – the definitive treatment for an aortic aneurysm is surgical repair of the aorta using stents.
Morris Hazan, who also benefited from the hospital service, said: “I had keyhole surgery and thankfully I felt better and better. Even after surgery, the screening staff came to see that I was alright.
“If you have to go into hospital, this was a very good experience. I’ve told all my friends they must go for screening.”
The Royal Free has funding until the end of the year to screen men for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
For more information contact the aortic aneurysm service 020 7794 0500 ext 38175.
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