What an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Is
The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one of the country’s most overlooked medical conditions; a silent killer that takes the lives of approximately 15,000 American’s each year, most without warning or symptoms.
The aorta is the heart’s main artery and is the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. It passes through the abdomen and splits into the two arteries that go into the legs. Two renal arteries branch from the aorta to feed the kidneys.
An aneurysm is the weakening and bulging of a vein or artery. It can occur anywhere in the body, but is most common in the aorta below the renal arteries. A healthy aorta is about 2 centimeters across in the abdomen. When an aneurysm develops and expands the aorta to 5 centimeters or greater, there is a 20% chance it could rupture. This is a health risk because a rupture may cause severe internal bleeding, which is often fatal. Only 10-20% of people who experience a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm will survive.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms often grow slowly and without symptoms, making them difficult to detect. Not all abdominal aortic aneurysm will reach the point of rupture. However, considering that this condition is life-threatening and usually asymptomatic, it is important to be screened if you qualify for the risk factors outlined later on this page.
Facts About Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Following are some facts about AAA's:
- Men are 4-5 times more likely than females to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- Half of all persons with untreated abdominal aortic aneurysms die of rupture within 5 years.
- Five percent of men over 60 develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in Caucasians than in people of other races.
- 80 to 90 percent of all ruptured aneurysms result in death.
- Approximately one in every 250 people over the age of 50 will die of a ruptured AAA.
- Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms are the 13th leading cause of death in the U.S.