The aorta is the largest artery in your body. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when part of the aortic wall weakens and balloons out. It can ultimately rupture and bleed into the abdomen. This is a medical emergency, and requires emergent surgery. Ruptured aneurysms have a high risk of death.
“Although abdominal aortic aneurysms are relatively rare, patients with vascular risk factors have higher risk. This includes smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history of aneurysms,” says a Riverside provider. “And everyone who smokes really needs to be aware of their risk.”
This is because a history of smoking accounts for 75 percent of all abdominal aortic aneurysms according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you fall within one of these high-risk groups, here are five things you should know about AAAs:
1. AAAs often have no symptoms until they tear. When symptoms do occur, they include persistent pain in the belly that radiates to the back. You may also feel a pulse in your stomach. Because of this, it’s good to see your doctor regularly for checkups and to ask about your risk for an AAA.
2. Small AAAs with no symptoms may only need to be monitored. Your doctor can keep an eye on it through regular examinations and imaging tests.
3. You can reduce your risk for an AAA. Stop smoking if you smoke, and take the medicines your doctor prescribes if you have high blood pressure or atherosclerosis.
4. A healthy lifestyle is also important. Living a healthy lifestyle overall can also reduce your risk for an AAA. Eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercise regularly, and find healthy ways to reduce stress.
5. Older men who have ever smoked should be screened. AAAs are much more common in men over the age of 60, especially if they have ever smoked or have heart disease. For this reason, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all men age 65 to 75 who have ever smoked get an ultrasound screening for AAAs, even if they have no symptoms.
Make an appointment for a checkup with your Riverside doctor today.
