Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

What is it?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm may also be referred to as a stomach aneurysm and is a common condition. It is in the top 10 causes of death for men over the age of 55, and it is 4 times more likely to occur in people assigned male at birth.

To explain what an abdominal aortic aneurysm is, we need to break it down. Abdominal region of the body is where your belly is located. Aortic refers to the aorta, which is the largest blood vessel in the body. An aneurysm is when a bulge develops in a blood vessel.

So, an abdominal aortic aneurysm happens when the aorta vessel that runs from the heart through the tummy develops a weak area that creates a bulge. This bulge creates a greater risk that the aorta breaks open, which can cause life-threatening bleeding on the inside of your body.

Who's at risk?

AAAs are most common in white men who are 65 and up, however women are also at a higher risk of an AAA when they reach 70 years old. Other factors that can put you in a higher risk category for developing an AAA include

• Tobacco use, especially smoking: Studies show that 90% of people who have had an AAA were smokers, even if they had already quit. This makes smoking the highest risk factor.
• Family history: If an immediate family member has a history of an AAA, the chances that you could develop an AAA doubles.
• Personal history: If you have had a history of an aneurysm, especially if it occurred from the waist down, you are more likely to develop an AAA.
• High blood pressure: Higher blood pressure over time can cause damage to the aorta and can the walls to get weaker.
• High cholesterol
• Being in an accident: Having physical trauma, such as that from a car accident, can cause your body to develop an AAA.

How do I know if I have an AAA?

Usually symptoms of AAAs go unnoticed until there is a rupture (break) in the aorta from the AAA. However, they can be easily found with an ultrasound of the belly, which is an external device that when placed on the belly can show images of what is going on in the inside.

If your medical professional is worried that you may have an AAA, they may do a scan of your belly with a CT scanning machine to look at your aorta. They will most likely inject dye into your veins as well to be able to get a better image of the AAA. These tests can help determine the size and location of the aneurysm which can help with treatment after diagnosis.

Treatment

Your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for you based on your specific situation.The treatment for an AAA depends on its size and how fast it's growing. If the aneurysm is small and not causing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend regular monitoring to check its growth.

However, if the aneurysm is large or growing quickly, surgery may be necessary. During the surgery, the weak portion of the aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft to prevent it from bursting.

The graft is a cylinder tube that connects the the surrounding, healthy aorta to eachother, so that blood can travel through the artery more safely.

How to prevent it

While it may not be possible to prevent all cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk. Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do, as smoking greatly increases the chances of developing an aneurysm.

Managing your blood pressure and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can also help lower your risk. If you have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is essential to report this to your physician to make sure you are getting regular screenings for the condition.