Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Question

An aortic aneurysm is a weakened and bulging area in the aorta, the major blood vessel that feeds blood to the body. The aorta, about the thickness of a garden hose, runs from your heart through the center of your chest and abdomen. Because the aorta is the body's main supplier of blood, a ruptured aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding.

Family history, plaque buildup, smoking, and high blood pressure are believed to be contributing factors.

Yes, ultrasound is the preferred method for diagnosing a AAA.  The aortic screening is very effective at visualizing an aortic aneurysm in the abdomen.  Abdominal aneurysms are the most common type found in the aorta.  Less common are thoracic aneurysms of the aorta. These types of aneurysms can be visualized with our heart screening – echocardiogram.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is much more common in males than in females. Roughly 5% of males over the age of 65 have an abdominal aortic aneurysm in comparison to 1% of females.

Most individuals (up to 80%) with a AAA have no symptoms or warning signs.  The unfortunate thing is that if a AAA ruptures, the death rate is as high as 85%.  That is why it is so important to get screened for this condition.

The most common symptoms are a pulsating feeling in the abdomen and low back pain.  Many AAAs are discovered purely by accident via a routine chest X-ray or other imaging procedure. Mobile Life Screening offers abdominal aortic aneurysm screening as part of our Vascular Screening Packages.

No, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is defined as a vessel measurement of 3cm or greater.  AAAs are typically just monitored with yearly (or bi-yearly) ultrasounds when they are between 3-5cm in size. Once an aneurysm reaches 5cm, surgery is usually recommended. Your physician or vascular surgeon will decide when surgical intervention is required.