An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an aneurysm that happens in the:
- artery that brings blood from the heart to the rest of your body (the aorta)
- part of the aorta in the tummy area (abdomen)
Treatment depends on the size of the aneurysm and how fast it gets bigger. Many stay small and do not need treatment. But there is a risk of life-threatening bleeding if an AAA gets bigger and bursts.
Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) often does not cause any obvious symptoms.
You may only find out you have an AAA after tests for other conditions.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if you:
- have pain in your tummy that does not go away or keeps coming back
- feel a lump or pulsing sensation in your tummy
You may get an ultrasound scan of your tummy to check if you have an AAA.
Emergency action required: Call 999 or 112 for an ambulance immediately if:
you or someone else has an AAA and:
- has sudden, severe pain in the tummy or lower back
- feels dizzy, faints or passes out
- has sweaty, pale and clammy skin
- has a fast heartbeat
- finds it hard to breathe
These can be signs that an AAA has burst.
Tests for an abdominal aortic aneurysm
If your GP thinks you may have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), they will refer you for an ultrasound. They may also refer you to a doctor that specialises in blood vessels.
During an ultrasound, a small device is placed on your tummy. The device is connected to a screen that shows images of the inside of your tummy.
The specialist doing the ultrasound can see if you have an AAA and how big it is. They will send a report to your doctor.
If you have an AAA, your doctor will tell you if it is:
- small - 3cm to 4.4cm or smaller
- medium - 4.5cm to 5.4cm
- large - 5.5cm or bigger
Ask your doctor if you're not sure what size your AAA is.
Treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) depends on:
- the size of the AAA
- how fast it gets bigger
- if you have other health problems
If you have a small or medium AAA, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and regular scans to check the AAA. They will tell you how often you need to have scans.
They may also prescribe medicines if you have high blood pressure.
If you have a large AAA, your doctor will usually recommend surgery.
Reducing risks of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
To reduce your risk of getting an AAA or help to stop one getting bigger:
Do
-
stop smoking - get help to quit smoking
-
maintain a healthy weight
-
cut down on alcohol - tips for drinking less
-
get your blood pressure checked - this is the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure
Who's at risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happens if the sides of the aorta get weak and swell outwards.
It's not always clear why this happens. But the risk is higher as you get older.
You may be more at risk if you:
- are a man age 60 or older
- are a woman age 65 or older
- have a family member with an AAA
- have high blood pressure
- have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- have high blood cholesterol
- have cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease or a history of stroke
- smoke or used to smoke
- have a condition called Marfan’s syndrome
- have a connective tissue disease - for example, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Contact a GP if you're worried you may be at risk of an AAA. They may refer you for a scan and suggest lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm and driving
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), you need to:
- get a medical report for driving from your doctor
- tell the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS)
- tell your insurance provider
You may have to stop driving if you have a large AAA or after surgery. Your doctor can tell you when it is safe for you to drive again after treatment.
