Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Key takeaways
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulging or "weak spot" in the body’s largest artery.
Many people have no symptoms until the aneurysm becomes a medical emergency.
Men over age 65 who smoke, or used to smoke, are at the highest risk of a AAA.
The UF Health Aortic Disease Center offers advanced, minimally invasive treatments to repair aneurysms before they burst.
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the wall of the aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body, becomes weak and bulges out like a balloon.
The aorta is about as thick as a garden hose. When a bulge forms in the section of the aorta that passes through your abdomen (belly), it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The biggest concern with an AAA is that the artery wall can become so thin that it bursts. This can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
UF Health Shands Hospital is rated by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top hospitals for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Who is most likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in older adults. While anyone can develop an aneurysm, certain factors increase your risk significantly:
Age: Most cases occur in people over the age of 65.
Sex: Men are generally much more likely to develop an AAA than women.
Smoking History: Tobacco use is the leading risk factor for a AAA, as it weakens the walls of the arteries.
Family History: If a close relative had an AAA, family members are at a higher risk.
High Blood Pressure: Constant high blood pressure can weaken the aortic tissue over time.
Atherosclerosis: This is the buildup of fat and cholesterol, or plaque, in your arteries.
What are abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms to watch for?
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are often called "silent killers" because they usually grow slowly and don't cause symptoms until they become very large or are about to burst.
If symptoms do happen, they might include:
A pulsing sensation near the belly button (similar to a heartbeat).
A deep, constant pain in the abdomen or on the side of the belly.
Back pain that won’t go away.
If an aneurysm bursts, it is considered a medical emergency. Seek immediate help if you experience sudden, severe pain in your abdomen or back, dizziness or a rapid heart rate.
How is AAA treated?
At the UF Health Aortic Disease Center, treatment of an AAA depends on the size of the aneurysm and how fast it is growing.
Monitoring the AAA
If the aneurysm is small (usually less than 5 centimeters), one course of action may be the "watch and wait" method. You will have regular ultrasound or CT scans to make sure the aneurysm isn't growing quickly.
Vascular surgery
If the aneurysm is large or growing fast, surgery is needed to prevent a rupture. There are two main types:
Endovascular Repair (EVAR): This is a minimally invasive procedure. Cardiovascular or vascular surgeons use a small tube called a catheter to place a "stent-graft" inside the aorta. This reinforces the weak spot without the need for a large incision. Most patients recover much quicker with this method.
Open Abdominal Surgery: In some cases, the vascular surgeon must make an incision in the abdomen to manually replace the damaged section of the aorta with a synthetic tube (graft).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an aortic aneurysm, an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
"Aortic aneurysm" is just a general term for any bulge in the body's main artery. The other terms represent exactly where that bulge is located:
AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm): The bulge is in the part of the aorta that runs through your belly. This is the most common type.
TAA (Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm): The bulge is in the part of the aorta that runs through your chest.
While they are both serious, AAAs are often linked to smoking and aging, while TAAs are more likely to be caused by genetics or family history.
What is a ruptured AAA?
A rupture is a medical emergency that happens when the wall of the aneurysm finally breaks or bursts. Because the aorta is the body's largest blood vessel, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm causes massive internal bleeding. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate, emergency surgery. The goal of the UF Health Aortic Disease Center is to find and fix aneurysms before they ever reach this stage. If you have a suspicion that you have a AAA that might rupture go to the emergency room immediately.
Can an aortic dissection be related to an AAA?
Yes. While they are different problems, they both affect the aorta and often share the same causes, like high blood pressure and smoking.
An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta wall. An aortic abdominal aneurysm is a bulge or weak spot. Sometimes, a dissection can weaken the wall of the aorta so much that an aneurysm forms later. In other cases, a person may already have an aneurysm that then suffers a tear, or dissection. Both conditions are serious and are treated by the experts at the UF Health Aortic Disease Center.
How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosed?
Because they often have no symptoms, AAAs are frequently found during routine exams or imaging tests for other problems. The most common way to screen for an AAA is a simple, painless ultrasound of the abdomen.
Can I prevent an aneurysm from growing?
While you cannot change your genetics, you can lower your risk by quitting smoking, managing your blood pressure and keeping your cholesterol at healthy levels.
Does Medicare cover screening?
Yes. Medicare offers a one-time free AAA ultrasound screening for at-risk beneficiaries (men who have smoked and people with a family history of AAA) as part of their "Welcome to Medicare" physical.
Is AAA hereditary?
Yes, there is a strong genetic link. If you have a close relative (parent or sibling) who had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, you should talk to your UF Health provider about early screening.
Why choose UF Health for Aortic Care?
The UF Health Aortic Disease Center is a national leader – in both volume and excellent outcomes – in treating complex aortic conditions. Our multidisciplinary team performs more than 900 aortic surgeries every year utilizing the latest technology to provide personalized care, from routine monitoring to life-saving emergency repairs.
To schedule a screening or consultation with the UF Health Aortic Disease Center, please call (352) 273-5494.
This entry was written by Gabrielle Massari, Marketing Content Writer, and reviewed for accuracy by Eric Jeng, MD. Generative AI was leveraged as part of the content creation process.