Description
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The part of the
aorta that lies in the abdomen is about one inch in diameter. In
some people, the aorta gradually swells (dilates) and may balloon to
four or five times its normal size. This swelling is called an
abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Symptoms
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Three out of four
aneurysms show no symptoms at the time they are diagnosed. If an
aneurysm grows rapidly or ruptures, the patient may feel intense
back or abdominal pain and experience signs of shock.
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Causes/Risk Factors
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Atherosclerosis is
the most common cause of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
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Are You at Risk?
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Take a 5-question
assessment to find out if you are at risk for AAA.
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Diagnosis
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Most abdominal
aortic aneurysms are found during a routine medical examination of
the abdomen. The doctor feels the aneurysm as a mass that pulses
with each heartbeat.
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Treatment
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Abdominal aortic
aneurysms can be surgically treated either with traditional open
surgery or with a minimally invasive repair known as an endovascular
procedure.
Learn more. |
