By Alan Peterson, M.D.

What Is an AAA?

The main blood vessel in your body is the aorta.  It carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body.  It is a long blood vessel that reaches from your chest into your abdomen or belly.  The part of the aorta in your abdomen is called the “abdominal aorta”. 

An aneurysm is a weak area in a blood vessel.  If a blood vessel weakens, it starts to swell like a balloon.  If the aneurysm grows too large, your aorta may burst. 

What Causes an AAA?

The most common causes are smoking, high blood pressure, or atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is when fat builds up in a blood vessel.  This sometimes called hardening of the arteries. 

Who Gets an AAA?

Aneurysms are more common in older people and in men.  Your risk of getting an AAA is higher if you have smoked or had high blood pressure for a long time.  It may also run in families.

What Are the Symptoms of an AAA?

Most people have no symptoms.  When the blood vessel wall starts to leak, you may feel pain or discomfort in your back, stomach, buttocks, groin, testicle or leg. 

How Can I Tell if I Have an AAA?

If you have a higher risk of an AAA, or if you have had any of the symptoms, you should talk to your doctor.  Your doctor may order a test called an ultrasound.  It can help measure the size of your aorta.  Some doctors feel that if you have ever been a smoker and you are over 65 years of age, you should have an ultrasound once in your life as a screening test for an aortic aneurysm.

How Is an AAA Treated?

If your aneurysm is large or growing quickly you will most likely need surgery.  If your aneurysm is small, your doctor may watch it using the ultrasound on a periodic basis. 

It is important to stop the aneurysm from bursting.  You can help by quitting smoking and by working with your doctor to control your blood pressure and cholesterol. 

Where Can I Get More Information?

Obviously, your primary care provider can answer your questions.  The Mayo Clinic also has a fine website at www.mayoclinic.com.  The Society for Vascular Surgery has a website at www.vascularweb.org.