Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: What You Need to Know
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious condition that happens when the wall of the aorta—the large blood vessel that carries blood from your heart through your abdomen—becomes weak and bulges out like a balloon. If this bulge gets too large, it can burst (rupture), causing life-threatening bleeding. That’s why abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is so important, especially for people at risk.
What Causes an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
An AAA usually develops slowly over time. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Smoking (the biggest risk factor)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol and plaque buildup in the arteries
- A family history of aneurysms
- Being male and over 65
- Conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
One common type is called an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, which means the bulge occurs below the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys.
Symptoms to Watch For
Many people with an AAA have no symptoms at all, which makes it dangerous because it can grow silently. However, if symptoms do appear, they might include:
- A pulsating feeling in your stomach
- Pain in your abdomen, back, or side
- Feeling full quickly when eating
If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes sudden, severe pain and requires immediate emergency treatment.
Why Screening Matters
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is the best way to detect AAAs early because these aneurysms often don’t cause symptoms until they become serious. Such screening is done with a simple, painless ultrasound that shows the size of your aorta. It’s quick, safe, and doesn’t involve any needles or radiation.
If an aneurysm is small, we may just monitor it regularly. But if it’s larger or growing fast, abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment may include surgery to repair the weakened area before it ruptures. Treatments today are more advanced and can often be done with less invasive methods.
Treatment Options
If you’re at risk—especially if you’re a man over 65, a smoker, or have a family history—talk to your doctor about getting an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. Detecting it early can save your life.
The ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of your aorta. There are no needles, no radiation, and no discomfort. It usually takes less than 30 minutes.
We don’t just look for aneurysms during this scan. It also helps us detect:
- Plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis) can narrow them and increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
- Ulcers or inflammation in the vessel walls may lead to complications if untreated.
- Dissections (a tear) in the inner layer of the artery that will need urgent attention.
Catching these issues early allows us to take action—whether that’s monitoring the condition, making lifestyle changes, or referring you for treatment if needed.
In short, an AAA ultrasound is a fast, safe, and accurate way to protect your health. It helps us catch silent problems before they turn into emergencies.
If you’re eligible or have concerns, talk to your doctor about scheduling this important test.
