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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

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ShapeABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the body’s main artery, called the aorta. The aorta runs from the heart through the center of the chest and belly area, called the abdomen.

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. An abdominal aortic aneurysm that ruptures can cause life-threatening bleeding.

Treatment depends on the size of the aneurysm and how fast it’s growing. Treatment varies from regular health checkups and imaging tests to emergency surgery.

What are the symptoms of AAA?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms often grow slowly without noticeable symptoms. This makes them difficult to detect. Some aneurysms never rupture. Many start small and stay small. Others grow larger over time, sometimes quickly.

If you have a growing abdominal aortic aneurysm, you might notice:

  • Deep, constant pain in the belly area or side of the belly.
  • Back pain.
  • A pulse near the bellybutton.

What are the causes of AAA?

Aneurysms can develop anywhere along the aorta. Most aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta that’s in the belly area, called the abdomen. Several things can lead to the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, including:

  • Hardening of the arteries, called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when fat and other substances build up on the lining of a blood vessel.
  • High blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage and weaken the aorta’s walls.
  • Blood vessel diseases. These are diseases that cause blood vessels to become inflamed.
  • Infection in the aorta. Rarely, infection by certain bacteria or fungi might cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
  • Trauma. For example, being injured in a car accident can cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm.