Homer posts a very moving message about the late Jeff Wroe who died at Oakwell and mentions that Jeff suffered an Aortic Aneurism - not sure if this was an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism. There is a very quick ultrasound test to see if anyone is likely to have such an aneurism - and if a problem is found there is a suitable treatment. (I think the condition is symptomless until the problem occurs.) A couple of years ago this free test was available at Hilltop Medical Centre Mapplewell for anyone living in Barnsley.
I think you have to be a certain age to qualify. I know I had one on the NHS at a Surgery in Park Grove when I was around 65-66. I was given the all clear and told I wouldn't need another. Prostate Cancer is a bigger concern which will get 1 in 8 of us.
Anyone over 60 can request a AAA scan through their GP. If Someone in your immediate family has been diagnosed then you're advised to request one when you're 5 years younger than the age the family member was when diagnosed (if that makes sense). For clarity it's when an aortic anuerysm ruptures or splits that you have a problem.
Could have been thoracic, i.e. TAA rather than AAA, standard test only looks at abdominal aorta (as it's most common).