The main blood channel that travels from the heart through the abdomen and out to the rest of the body, the aorta, can enlarge and become aneurysmal. This condition is known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

           

 

The largest blood vessel in the body, the abdominal aorta, is typically 2 cm wide, or about the breadth of a garden hose. It can expand to above 5.5 cm, which is what medical professionals classify as a big AAA.

Although uncommon, large aneurysms can be fatal. A big aneurysm rupture usually results in severe internal bleeding and is deadly.

When the wall of the aorta weakens, the bulging happens. Smoking and high blood pressure are known to increase the chance of an aneurysm, while it is unclear what causes this weakening.

Men over 65 years old are most likely to have AAAs. More than one in fifty of all deaths in this group are caused by ruptures.

For this reason, when a man becomes 65, he is invited to do a screening test. The examination entails a quick ultrasonic scan that lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Symptoms of an AAAabdomin.jpg

It can be challenging to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms because they frequently develop slowly and without obvious symptoms. Some aneurysms do not burst. Many people start tiny and don't grow. Others expand over time, occasionally quickly.

 

You might notice the following if you have an expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm:

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

Causes of an AAA

Multiple circumstances that lead to the breakdown of the well-organized proteins of the aorta wall that support and stabilise the wall may be the cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Not entirely clear is what caused it.

AAA's risk factors including:

  • Age (greater than 60)
  • Male (occurrence in males is four to five times greater than that of females)
  • Family history (first degree relatives such as father or brother)
  • Genetic factors
  • Hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood)
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes

 

Diagnosing an AAA

Tests to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

  1. Abdominal ultrasound. This is the most common test to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms. ...
  2. Abdominal CT scan. This painless test uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the structures inside the belly area. ...
  3. Abdominal MRI .

 

Treating an AAA

There are 2 main types of surgery for an AAA:

  1. endovascular surgery – the graft is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin and then carefully passed up into the aorta.
  2. open surgery – the graft is placed in the aorta through a cut in your tummy.