If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

The main blood vessel in your body is the aorta (say: a-or-ta). It is a long blood vessel that reaches from your chest into your abdomen. It carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The part of the aorta in your abdomen is called the abdominal aorta. It supplies blood to your stomach, pelvis and legs.

An aneurysm (say: an-yur-izm) is a weak area in a blood vessel. If a blood vessel weakens, it starts to swell like a balloon and becomes abnormally large. If an aneurysm forms on your abdominal aorta and grows too large, your aorta may tear or burst.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of an AAA?

As the aneurysm develops, there are usually no symptoms. When the aneurysm leaks or tears, you may experience the following:

Sudden pain in your abdomen, groin, back, legs or buttocks
Nausea and vomiting
Abnormal stiffness in your abdominal muscles
Swelling or bulging in one area of your abdomen
Clammy skin

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

Who gets an AAA?

Healthcare providers don’t know what exactly causes an AAA, but aneurysms in general are more common in older people, especially men older than 60 years of age. AAA may also run in families.

The following risk factors also can increase your chances of developing an AAA:

High blood pressure
Being overweight or obese
Smoking
High cholesterol
Emphysema

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How can I tell if I have an AAA?

Contact your healthcare provider if you have a higher risk for an AAA, or if you have any of the symptoms. Your healthcare provider may order a test called an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides a picture of your organs by passing sound waves through your body. It can help measure the size of your aorta.

The Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery currently recommends that all males at 65 should have a screening ultrasound. Many would recommend screening for women who have smoked and/or have a family history of AAA.

TREATMENT

How is an AAA treated?

If your aneurysm is large or is growing quickly, you will most likely need surgery. If your aneurysm is small, your healthcare provider may just monitor it using ultrasound tests.

It is important to prevent the aneurysm from bursting or tearing. You can help by quitting smoking and by working with your healthcare provider to control your blood pressure and cholesterol.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

If I’ve had one AAA, am I likely to experience another?
Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to avoid getting another AAA?
Is watchful waiting safe? Is there a chance the AAA could burst?
Are there any side effects from AAA that I should be watching for?
What should I do if my pain gets worse?
Should I visit a specialist?
Do you have any educational materials I could read?
Are there any web sites you recommend where I can learn more about AAA?

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit The Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery at: https://canadianvascular.ca/Abdominal-Aortic-Aneurysms

Sources

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by GR Upchurch, Jr., M.D. and TA Schaub, M.D. (04/01/06, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060401/1198.html)