The aorta is your body’s main blood vessel, carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart around the rest of your body. When part of this vessel weakens and bulges outward, it’s called an aortic aneurysm.
The dangerous part? Around 170,000 deaths occur every year from abdominal aortic aneurysms, but many people don’t even know they have one.
At Vascular Surgery Associates, we want to help you understand the risks, recognize warning signs, and know when to get screened, because catching an aneurysm early can save your life.
An aortic aneurysm occurs when the wall begins to weaken and balloons outward, filling with blood. Aneurysms can form in various parts of the aorta. The two main types are:
An AAA occurs in the section of the aorta that runs through your belly.
A TAA occurs in the part of the aorta running through your chest.
The biggest concern with both types is rupture. If an aneurysm bursts, it causes severe internal bleeding that’s typically life-threatening.
Most aortic aneurysms develop slowly and without symptoms, so many people don’t notice anything unusual until the aneurysm becomes very large or ruptures. That’s why they get referred to as silent but deadly. Routine screenings are the most reliable way to detect aneurysms early.
Certain factors increase your likelihood of developing an aortic aneurysm. These include:
The risk rises after age 65.
Men are more likely to develop aneurysms; however, women often face higher risks of an aneurysm rupturing.
Having a parent, sibling, or child with an aneurysm raises your risk.
Tobacco use weakens blood vessel walls and is one of the most significant risk factors for aortic aneurysms.
Excessive pressure against the artery walls makes them more likely to get weak.
Plaque buildup in the arteries, consisting of cholesterol and calcium, causes atherosclerosis.
This common condition leads to potentially life-threatening issues like coronary artery disease (which causes heart attacks), carotid artery disease (which causes strokes), and peripheral artery disease in the legs, which is a significant risk factor for arterial ulcers.
Disorders like Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes increase your risk of aortic aneurysms.
Since aneurysms are often symptom-free, imaging tests are key to diagnosis. Depending on your health and risk factors, we may recommend an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI to obtain detailed images for measuring the size and growth of the aneurysm.
Medicare and many insurance plans cover one-time AAA screenings for men aged 65–75 who have smoked. Women and younger people with risk factors may also benefit from screening.
While most aneurysms are silent, some can cause warning signs. These may include:
If you ever experience sudden, severe pain in your chest, back, or abdomen along with dizziness or fainting, call emergency services immediately. These could be signs of a rupture.
The treatment we recommend depends on the size and growth rate of the aneurysm, as well as your overall health. Options include:
Small aneurysms may only require regular checkups and lifestyle changes.
Blood pressure or cholesterol medications can reduce stress on vessel walls.
Larger or fast-growing aneurysms may require repair, such as replacing the weakened section of the aorta with a synthetic graft. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and transthoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) are less invasive approaches that place a stent graft inside the artery through a small incision in your groin.
While you can’t change your age or family history, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing an aortic aneurysm:
Aortic aneurysms may be silent, but they don’t have to be deadly. With awareness, regular screenings, and proper medical care, you can protect yourself from serious complications.
At Vascular Surgery Associates, we detect aneurysms early and provide advanced treatment options tailored to your needs. Schedule a consultation with us by phone or online if you’re concerned about your aortic aneurysm risks.
