An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a condition wherein the lower part of the aorta, which is the largest blood vessel running from the heart to the abdomen, becomes enlarged. If the aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to severe bleeding and become life-threatening. The treatment options depend on the growth rate and size of the aneurysm, ranging from routine check-ups to imaging tests and emergency surgery. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment for AAA.

Causes
Aneurysms can occur anywhere along the aorta but commonly occur in the abdomen. AAA can develop due to several factors. These include:

High blood pressure or hypertension
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels. When one has hypertension, the walls of the aorta weaken, increasing the risk of aneurysms.

Vasculitis or vascular inflammation
Severe inflammation of the aorta and other arteries can also trigger AAAs. However, it is a rare possibility.

Atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries
This condition occurs when fat and other substances accumulate on the lining of the blood vessels.

Blood vessel diseases
These include diseases that cause inflammation in the blood vessels.

Infection in the aorta
In rare cases, infection from fungi or bacteria may also trigger an AAA.

Trauma
Trauma like being injured in a car accident may also trigger an AAA.

While aneurysms can develop in any blood vessel across the body, it is the size of the aorta that makes AAAs life-threatening.

Who is more likely to develop abdominal aortic aneurysms?
AAA is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone, but certain groups of people are more at risk than others. 

• Men are more likely to develop this condition than women. 
• It is most common in people over the age of 60.
• Individuals with a family history of aneurysms and heart diseases.
• People who have high blood pressure, especially those between the ages of 35 and 60.
• Those who have experienced trauma or injury to the abdomen or mid-section.
• Those living a sedentary lifestyle
• Individuals having a fatty build-up in the blood vessels or high cholesterol.

In people susceptible to developing AAA, doctors may advise prescription treatments to lower and manage blood pressure and reduce the stress on weakened arteries. 

Symptoms
Most people with AAA do not show any symptoms until the aneurysm is about to rupture. At this point, one may experience the below-listed signs:

Deep and steady pain in the belly or the lower back
Pain in the pelvic region, groin, or leg
A pulsing sensation in the stomach that mimics a heartbeat

A ruptured AAA is an emergency. In this case, symptoms will commence suddenly and are as follows:

Sweaty or clammy skin
Vomiting or nausea
Fainting or dizziness
Fast heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Extreme pain in the legs, lower back, or the belly

Diagnosis and tests
Since most aneurysms do not cause symptoms, they might not necessitate a trip to the healthcare expert. Often, doctors diagnose AAA when screening the patient for something else. However, for AAA screening, the doctor will order the below-listed tests:

CT scan: As part of this examination, the X-rays produce a detailed image of the AAA.

Ultrasound: During an ultrasound, the medical expert employs high-frequency sound waves to examine the size of the AAA.

Angiography: This medical examination involves MRI scans, CT scans, X-rays, and a specialized dye to find the abnormalities in the blood vessels.

Treatment
Primarily, the treatment course for AAA may vary depending on the aneurysm’s size, location, and type. Further, one’s overall health and age may also influence the treatment chosen. Some prevalent treatment options include:

Endovascular surgery: It is less invasive but involves using a graft to stabilize the aorta’s weakened walls.

Open abdominal surgery: It is a relatively more invasive procedure and involves the removal of the aorta’s damaged parts. The recovery window is usually long, and the doctors recommend this treatment measure only when the aneurysm has already ruptured or the size is massive.

Monitoring: When the AAA is tiny, probably less than 5.5 cm wide, the doctor may suggest routine monitoring instead of surgery.

Outlook
When the doctor conducts an open abdominal surgery, the patient may need about six weeks to recover. However, in the case of endovascular surgery, the recovery duration is only two weeks. The surgery’s success and recovery depend on whether the doctor can find the AAA before it ruptures, and the prognosis is mostly good if they detect it before it ruptures.

Prevention
Here are some tips to prevent an AAA:

Follow a healthy meal plan, including vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains.
Avoid eating trans and saturated fats
Curtail the salt intake
Keep the cholesterol and blood pressure under control
Exercise regularly