Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

At Upperhill CardioVascular Center, we are committed to providing all patients with high-quality, personalized healthcare for all their vascular and cardiovascular-related conditions, including abdominal aortic aneurysms.Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and innovative procedures address the full spectrum of your diagnosis to provide effective treatment for the best interest of long-term health. If you or a loved one is living with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, have experienced one in the past, or are simply curious about available treatment options, we are here to help.

Let’s discuss abdominal aortic aneurysms in further detail, including precisely what it is, the symptoms associated with the condition, and effective treatment options fit for you.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized enlargement or bulging of the abdominal aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This condition can be quite serious because if the aneurysm grows too large, it can rupture, leading to potentially life-threatening internal bleeding.

Symptoms

Many people with AAAs do not experience symptoms, especially in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they might include:

1. • A pulsating feeling near the navel
   • Abdominal or back pain
   • Sudden, severe pain if the aneurysm is about to rupture

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of developing an AAA, including:

• • Age (more common in people over 65)
  • Gender (more common in men)
  • Family history of aneurysms
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

Comprehensive treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) includes regular monitoring for smaller aneurysms, lifestyle modifications like quitting smoking and managing blood pressure, and addressing cardiovascular risk factors. For larger or rapidly growing AAAs, surgical options such as open repair or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are considered. Post-treatment care involves continued surveillance with imaging, managing risk factors, and adhering to lifestyle changes to prevent complications.