Abdominal aortic aneurysms are enlarged areas located in the lower area of the aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel supplying the body with blood. The aorta is about as thick as the average garden hose and runs from the heart down the center of the chest and into the abdomen.
The aorta is known as the main blood supplier to the body, abdominal aortic aneurysm that ruptures can cause internal bleeding that is life-threatening. The rate at which abdominal aortic aneurysm is growing as well as its current size will determine how it is treated.
If an abdominal aortic aneurysm is found your doctor will monitor it closely so that if surgery is needed it can be scheduled. Since abdominal aortic aneurysm can be quite dangerous it is important to know the causes and the symptoms of this condition. Here are some common causes and symptoms of an AAA.
1. No Symptoms
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can become dangerous if it is not monitored and continues to grow. Typically, the abdominal aortic aneurysm grows quite slowly and often there are no symptoms at all. This makes it quite difficult to detect them. There are some aneurysms that never rupture. Many will start out small and remain the same size. However, many of these will expand with time.
There are others that develop and then expand quite quickly. It is nearly impossible to predict how quickly an abdominal aortic aneurysm will grow or if it will enlarge at all. It is important to go for regular check-ups, especially if you are at risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Males who are over the age of 65 are at a higher risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women. White males are at the highest risk.