The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men age 65 to 75 who have ever smoked undergo ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm—a ballooning of the body's main artery that can lead to fatal rupture. Such aneurysms are the 10th leading cause of death among men in this age group. Symptoms are rare until rupture is imminent, but the condition is treatable if detected early. Ultrasound screening is noninvasive and typically costs from $100 to $200. Medicare pays for this test for those who have ever smoked. Consult your doctor.
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