Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the body’s main artery (aorta). The aorta goes from the heart through the middle of the chest and umbilicus to the area called the abdomen.

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding.

Treatment depends on how large the aneurysm is and how fast it is growing. Treatment may include regular health checks and imaging tests up to emergency surgery.

symptoms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms often grow slowly. You may not notice any symptoms. This makes them difficult to find. Many start small and stay small. Others grow over time, sometimes rapidly. Some aneurysms never rupture.

If you have a growing abdominal aortic aneurysm, symptoms may include:

• Deep, persistent pain in the belly area or side of the abdomen.
• Back pain.
• Throbbing or pulsing sensation near the belly button.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have pain, especially if it is sudden and severe, seek medical help immediately.

reasons

An aneurysm can grow anywhere in the aorta. Most aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta located in the umbilical region, called the abdomen.

Things that can cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

• Hardening of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when fat and other substances accumulate in and on the artery walls.
• Hypertension. High blood pressure can damage and weaken the walls of the aorta.
• Blood vessel diseases. These diseases cause blood vessels to become swollen and irritated.
• Infection in the aorta. Rarely, microbes can infect the aorta and cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Trauma. For example, being injured in a car accident can cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Risk factors

Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk factors include:

• Tobacco use. Smoking is the strongest risk factor for aortic aneurysms. Smoking weakens the walls of blood vessels, including the aorta. This increases the risk of aortic aneurysm and aneurysm rupture. The longer and more tobacco you use, the more likely you are to develop an aortic aneurysm. Men who are between the ages of 65 and 75 and are smokers should undergo a one-time ultrasound to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Age. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in people aged 65 and over.
• Six. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is much more common in men than in women.
• Being white. People with white skin have a higher risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Family history. Having a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm increases the risk of developing this condition.
• Other aneurysms. Having an aneurysm in the aorta in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) or another large blood vessel, such as the artery behind the knee, may increase the risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

If you’re at risk for an aortic aneurysm, you may be given medications to lower blood pressure and relieve stress on weakened arteries.

Complications

Possible complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

• Tears in one or more layers of the aortic wall are called aortic dissection.
• Aneurysm rupture.

A rupture can cause life-threatening bleeding throughout the body. In general, the larger the aneurysm and the faster it grows, the greater the risk of rupture.

Symptoms that an aortic aneurysm has ruptured may include:

• Abdominal or back pain that is sudden, very bad, and lasts for a long time, feeling like it’s ripping or tearing.
• Hypotension.
• Rapid pulse.

Aortic aneurysms also increase the risk of blood clots in the area. If a blood clot breaks loose, it can block a blood vessel elsewhere in the body. Symptoms of a blocked blood vessel may include pain or decreased blood flow to the legs, toes, kidneys, or abdominal area.

Prevention

To prevent an abdominal aortic aneurysm or keep it from getting worse, follow these steps:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco products. If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit. Also avoid secondhand smoke. If you need help quitting smoking, talk to your healthcare team about strategies that may help.
• Eat a healthy diet. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, chicken, fish and low-fat dairy products. Avoid saturated and trans fats and limit salt.
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Take medications as directed.
• Exercise regularly and stay active. Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. If you haven’t been active, start slowly and build up. Talk to your healthcare team about what types of activities are appropriate for you.