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All About Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
The worst health problems develop under the radar, like an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). That’s why our team of experts at Advanced Vascular Solutions is taking a deep dive into this lesser-known and oft-overlooked yet incredibly aggressive threat to your health.
Here’s your ultimate guide covering what to look for regarding abdominal aortic aneurysms, and what to do about them.
What do abdominal aortic aneurysms feel like?
Unfortunately, abdominal aortic aneurysms often grow slowly and without noticeable symptoms, making them difficult to detect. Some aneurysms never rupture, some start and stay small, and others grow larger over time.
If you pay close attention, you can catch an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This type of aneurysm sometimes causes:
- A deep, constant pain in the belly or side of the belly
- Back pain
- A noticeable pulse near the belly button
You should always see a medical professional for any new or worsening pain.
What causes abdominal aortic aneurysms?
Aneurysms can develop anywhere along the aorta, but they most often occur in the belly area or abdomen. Several factors can lead to an abdominal aortic aneurysm, including:
- Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries
- High blood pressure
- Blood vessel diseases that trigger inflammation
- Infection in the aorta
Traumatic injuries can also cause abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Who’s at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms?
You’re most at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms if you identify with one or more of the following:
- You’re over 65 years old
- You’re male
- You’re white
- You have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms
- You have other aneurysms
Smoking tobacco is one of the strongest risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysms. The longer you smoke, the more your blood vessels weaken, which can raise your risk of developing an aneurysm and having it rupture.
What can an abdominal aortic aneurysm mean for my health?
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can also cause tears in one or more layers of the aorta (aortic dissection), but our greatest concern is a rupture. Ruptures can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
You know your aneurysm has ruptured if you experience sudden, intense, and persistent belly or back pain. Some describe the pain as “ripping” or “tearing.” You may also notice a drop in your blood pressure and/or a fast pulse.
We also worry about a blood clot breaking loose from inside the aneurysm and blocking blood flow elsewhere. A blocked blood vessel may trigger pain or reduce blood flow to your legs, toes, kidneys, or belly.
How are abdominal aortic aneurysms diagnosed and treated?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm typically pops up during your routine physical exam, or it can show up when you get an imaging test for another reason. To officially diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, we use abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, or MRIs to evaluate the size and state of the aneurysm.
Screenings for abdominal aortic aneurysms are also available, and we recommend that anyone at risk be screened regularly.
Treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms varies. Many are small and only require frequent health checkups and vigilant monitoring.
For abdominal aortic aneurysms that are 1.9 to 2.2 inches or larger, we consider surgical intervention, typically an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.
AAA repairs prevent weakened blood vessels from rupturing. Here’s how it works.
We start by inserting a catheter in a blood vessel in your groin and feeding it toward your aneurysm. Then, we place a stent graft to reinforce the blood vessel wall.
Traditionally, AAA repairs are invasive open surgeries, but our team uses a more efficient minimally invasive method that causes less postsurgical pain and reduces recovery time.
What can I do to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysms?
By far, the best thing you can do to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysms is to quit smoking and chewing tobacco. We even recommend avoiding secondhand smoke. We can point you in the right direction for smoking cessation help.
Other abdominal aortic aneurysm prevention strategies include eating a balanced diet that is free from saturated and trans fats, controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol, and exercising regularly.
Are you concerned about your risk? Then let’s schedule a screening. If you’re experiencing symptoms, there’s no time to lose. You can request an appointment online or over the phone today. We’re eager to serve patients in and around Melbourne and Sebastian, Florida.
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