Aneurysm, abdominal aortic

Diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm

A diagnosis can be confirmed using an ultrasound scan. Ultrasound can also determine the size of the aneurysm, which is an important factor in deciding on a course of treatment.

Screening

All men in the UK who are 65 or over are offered an Ultrasound scan to check for AAAs.

All men should receive an invitation in the year they turn 65 years old. Men who are older than 65 can refer themselves for screening by contacting their local NHS AAA screening service .

For more information, visit our page on AAA screening .

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 29 Nov 2016

Articles for aneurysm, abdominal aortic

Introduction

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta; the main blood vessel that leads away from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body. This vessel originates from the heart, spans the chest and extends down to the stomach. The segment of the aorta which supplies the organs of the abdomen with blood, is called the abdominal aorta. An aneurysm is the swelling of a small segment of the aorta (up to 5 cm, when the normal width of the aorta lumen is 2 cm)

Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

In most cases, an unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) will cause no symptoms, unless it becomes particularly large. If your aortic aneurysm ruptures, you will feel a sudden and severe pain in the middle or side of your abdomen. In men, the pain can also radiate down into the scrotum. A ruptured aortic aneurysm is a medical emergency, and its important to get to hospital as soon as possible.

Causes of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when part of the aorta wall becomes weakened, causing it to bulge outwards to form an aneurysm. Research has found that smokers are seven times more likely to develop an AAA than people who have never smoked. The more you smoke, the greater your risk of developing an AAA. People who regularly smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day may have more than 10 times the risk of non-smokers.

Diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) usually causes no symptoms. Therefore, they tend to be diagnosed as a result of screening, or during a routine physical examination when a GP notices a distinctive pulsating sensation in your abdomen. A diagnosis is usually made following consultation with a medical professional. The patient is recommended an abdominal ultrasound, or a contrast scanner, which both help the physician to determine the position of the aneurysm and its size.

Treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) depends on several factors, including the aneurysm's size, your age and general health. The treatment of aneurysms depends on the condition of the patient, the position and size of the aneurysm, etc. If the aneurysm is small, it poses little risk, and thus the treatment adapted is conservative. The patient is usually advised to make certain lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, avoiding foods high in fats, exercising, maintain a lower blood pressure). If the aneurysm is large, a surgical intervention is necessary, which may involve: endovascular surgery, open surgery.

Preventing an abdominal aortic aneurysm

The best way to prevent getting an aneurysm, or reduce the risk of an aneurysm growing bigger and possibly rupturing, is to avoid anything that could damage your blood vessels. To prevent the occurrence of an AAA, the patient is recommended: to quit smoking, light exercise, avoiding foods high in unhealthy fats & to lose weight (if overweight), if previously suffering from arterial hypertension, to maintain normal values. If your GP finds out you have high blood pressure or a high cholesterol level, you may be prescribed medication for both.

Patient story: "I was able to go back to my part-time job within just three weeks."

When trumpeter Peter Cripps, had a CT scan for a kidney stone, an abdominal aortic aneurysm was also discovered. The surgeon came to see me straight away and recommended an open AAA operation, which was done on January 16 2007. The operation went really well, and I was out of hospital a week later.

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