What is an aortic aneurysm?

An aneurysm is a bulge or widening in your blood vessel. When this happens in the aorta (the main artery in the body), it's called an aortic aneurysm.

The bulge in the aorta happens when part of your blood vessel wall grows weak. Aneurysms get bigger over time. The bigger the aneurysm, the faster it grows.

Sometimes aneurysms burst and cause bleeding inside your body. This is called a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Because the aorta is such a large blood vessel, this can be very dangerous and is often fatal (causes death).

What are the types of aortic aneurysm?

The aorta carries blood from your heart through your chest and into your abdomen (tummy).

Aortic aneurysms can form anywhere along the length of your aorta, but they are most common in the lower part that passes through your abdomen. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

An aneurysm that forms in the upper part of your aorta (in the chest) is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Aortic aneurysms usually don't have any symptoms until they burst.

Sometimes people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm have pain in their abdomen, back, side, or groin.

What are the warning signs?

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) may cause sudden, severe pain in your abdomen or back. This is an emergency.

When should I call an ambulance or go to the emergency department?

Symptoms of a ruptured AAA include:

• sudden, severe pain in your tummy or back
• swelling of your tummy
• being pale and sweaty
• feeling faint or becoming unconscious

What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?

When calling for an ambulance, stay on the phone and follow any instructions the operator gives you.

What causes an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the wall of your aorta becomes weak. Several different factors are thought to cause weakening of the artery wall.

You are more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm if you are male. The risk goes up as you get older.

Other risk factors include:

• smoking
• having a family member with an abdominal aortic aneurysm
• high blood pressure
• cardiovascular disease (for example, coronary heart disease or peripheral vascular disease)
• high cholesterol
• other health conditions, such as Marfan syndrome

How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosed?

Because most people do not have any symptoms, abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually found:

• when they burst (rupture)
• during a medical examination for another reason
• through screening tests

Screening tests are done to find a condition early, before it causes symptoms.

There is no official screening program in Australia for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Talk to your doctor about whether you should have an ultrasound scan of your tummy if you have a higher chance of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Tests used to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

• ultrasound scan
• CT scan
• MRI scan

These imaging tests can show an abdominal aortic aneurysm and how big it is.

How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm treated?

Monitoring

Small aneurysms that are not causing symptoms don't usually need treatment. You may be referred to a vascular surgeon and have regular follow-up ultrasound scans to see if the aneurysm is getting bigger.

Surgery

Surgery may be recommended for larger abdominal aortic aneurysms because they are more likely to burst. You might also need surgery if your aneurysm is small, but is growing quickly or causing symptoms.

One option to treat an aortic aneurysm is open surgery. This is a major operation where your abdomen is opened with a large cut and the faulty part of the aorta is replaced with a graft (an artificial blood vessel).

Some people may have a graft inserted into the aneurysm through small cuts in the groin. This is called endovascular surgery. It is not suitable for all types of aortic aneurysm.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is an emergency. It needs immediate treatment with surgery. Unfortunately, the chances of survival are small once an aneurysm has burst.

What are the complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

• rupture (bursting)
• blood clots
• kidney damage, due to pressure on the urinary system

Surgical treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm can lead to complications such as:

• heart attack
• blood clots
• bleeding
• infections
• erectile dysfunction due to nerve damage

There is also a risk of death from surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the risks with you.

Can an abdominal aortic aneurysm be prevented?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm can't usually be prevented, but you can reduce your risk factors for developing one by:

• avoiding smoking
• seeing your doctor to monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol and taking any medicines they prescribe

If you know you have a AAA, follow your doctor's instructions to slow down how fast it grows and to reduce the chance of it rupturing.

Resources and support

Find more information from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For help with quitting smoking, call Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 7848).

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) in your area.