The aorta is a crucial blood vessel in the human body that carries blood from the heart. It transports blood to the head and arms and down to the legs, abdomen, and pelvis. An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm occurs when the wall of the aorta weakens and bulges like a balloon. Although it may not always cause issues, if it ruptures, it can be life-threatening. Let’s gain a better understanding of this condition.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Overview
Recent research indicates that approximately 1.4% of adults aged between 50 and 84 develop Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). This condition refers to the bulging or enlargement of the aorta, which is caused by a weakening of the aortic wall. Ordinarily, the aortic wall is strong enough to withstand the pressure of the blood pumped by the heart. However, it becomes unable to handle the pressure when it becomes weakened due to aging or other conditions, leading to the bulging out of the weakened part of the aortic wall.

If 50% of the aorta bulges up, the healthcare provider will diagnose it as an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. This means that the enlargement is about 3 cm wide. If these aneurysms grow larger, they become more dangerous. Therefore, it is always essential to connect with healthcare providers to acquire knowledge about the risk factors and signs of this condition.

Classification of abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm may be classified based on the size and the speed with which it develops and grows.

• Small
  Healthcare providers usually monitor small, slow-growing cysts that are less than 5.5 cm with ultrasounds instead of treatment, as they have a lower risk of rupture.
• Large
  The cysts that are larger than 5.5 cm are at higher risk of rupturing and require immediate surgery to avoid severe complications, such as internal bleeding.

Signs and symptoms
Most people do not face any symptoms or signs until the AAA ruptures. Until it’s not ruptured, the following are the signs:

• Deep and steady pain in the lower back and belly
• A pulsing sensation in the stomach that has a feeling like the heartbeat
• Pain in the groin, leg, or pelvic area

Though a ruptured AAA includes the following symptoms, and it’s a condition that requires one to consult a doctor at the earliest:

• Faster heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting or nausea
• Fainting or dizziness
• Sweaty or clammy skin
• Severe pain in the lower back, belly, or legs

Causes of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
The exact causes and reasons are unknown. However, the AAA is formed with the weakening of the aorta wall. Several hereditary and environmental factors may cause this weakness. Some of the factors are the following:

• Hypertension or high blood pressure
  Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. High blood pressure weakens the walls of the aorta and increases the likelihood of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
• Vasculitis or vascular inflammation
  Due to this condition, AAA occurs rarely. However, severe inflammation within the aorta and other arteries can lead to AAAs.

Diagnosis and tests
The healthcare provider diagnoses the unruptured AAAs with the help of the tests recommended for other conditions. The diagnostic tests may include:

• CTA or Computed Tomography Angiogram
• Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound
• Screening
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan
• Ultrasound

Treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The treatment of an aneurysm requires the careful consideration of various factors. These include the patient’s overall health, as well as the precise location, size, growth rate, and type of aneurysm. Based on these factors, treatment options can be recommended to address the aneurysm effectively.

• Open abdominal surgery
  This treatment method has a longer recovery time and is a more invasive type of surgery. It is necessary if the aneurysm is larger or has already ruptured. The procedure involves the removal of the damaged parts of the aorta.
• Endovascular surgery
  It is less invasive than the open abdominal surgery. It includes the use of the graft to bring stabilization to the aorta’s weakened walls.
• Monitoring
  The healthcare provider will regularly monitor the small AAAs, which are less than 5.5 cm, with imaging and will not perform the surgery.

Conditions such as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm can cause individuals to feel worried and stressed. However, with proper monitoring, a healthcare provider can detect its presence and suggest a thorough treatment plan based on the severity of the condition. The affected person should also learn about the condition in detail. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare expert for regular monitoring and appropriate treatment. They can also advise on how to protect the aneurysm from rupturing or growing in the future.