If you are a man age 65 to 75 and have ever smoked, talk with your doctor about abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). If aneurysms grow large enough to burst (break open), they can cause dangerous bleeding inside the body and potentially even death. If AAA is found early, it can often be treated to stop it from bursting.

What is AAA?

The aorta is your body’s main artery. An artery is a tube that carries blood away from your heart. The aorta carries blood from your heart to your pelvis, abdomen (stomach), and legs.

If the wall of an artery is weak, the artery can swell like a balloon. This balloon-like swelling is called an aneurysm. AAA occurs in the part of the aorta running through the abdomen.

Are you at risk for AAA?

The risk of AAA increases as you get older, and it’s more likely to happen in people between the ages of 60 and 80. Men are much more likely than women to have an AAA. You are eight times more likely to develop an aneurysm if you currently smoke or have smoked in the past.

Other risk factors for AAA include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Being overweight or obese
• Emphysema – a type of lung disease that makes it hard to breathe
• Family history of aortic aneurysm or heart disease

How do you know if you have AAA?

There are usually no symptoms of AAA. Blood vessels can swell up slowly over time. That’s why it’s important to talk with your doctor about AAA to see if you are at risk.

If you have an aneurysm that starts to tear and cause bleeding, this is a medical emergency and you will need surgery right away. You may suddenly have:

Pain in your back, stomach, or legs Nausea and vomiting Clammy (sticky) skin

It’s never too late to take steps to lower your risk for AAA.  Steps you should take:

• Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to lower your risk of AAA. If you smoke, now is the time to quit. It is never too late to quit smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free advice and support on how to set up your personal quit plan.
• Get your blood pressure checked. If your blood pressure is high, you can take steps to lower it. Getting active, watching your weight, and eating less sodium (salt) can help you control your blood pressure. In addition, many people many need prescription medications.
• Get active. Aim for a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of physical activity every week.
• Get your cholesterol checked. If you have high cholesterol, start by adopting a heart healthy eating plan. This means eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for medications and other lifestyle changes to help lower cholesterol.
• Talk with your doctor about your risk for AAA.

Here are some questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Do I need to get screened for AAA?
• How can I get help to quit smoking?
• What are my blood pressure numbers and cholesterol levels?
• Do I need to lose weight to reduce my risk for AAA?

For more information about AAA, go to lmh.org and visit the Health Library section. Other good resources to learn more are the websites of the National Institutes of Health, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus; the American Heart Association, www.heart.org; and the Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov.

Aynsley Anderson, MA, RN, is Community Education Coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, which is a major sponsor of WellCommons. She can be reached at aynsley.anderson@lmh.org.