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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - AAA
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This free information is provided by the Circulation Foundation, a UK based charity. We provide information and patient support. Please help us by making a donation.
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What is the aorta?
The aorta is the largest artery (blood vessel) in the body. It carries blood from the heart and descends through the chest and the abdomen. Many arteries come off the aorta to supply blood to all parts of the body. At about the level of the pelvis the aorta divides into two iliac arteries, one going to each leg.
What is an aneurysm and an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when the wall of a blood vessel is weakened and balloons out. In the aorta this ballooning makes the wall weaker and more likely to burst. Aneurysms can occur in any artery, but they most commonly occur in the section of the aorta that passes through the abdomen. These are known as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
What causes an AAA?
The exact reason why an aneurysm forms in the aorta in most cases is not clear. Aneurysms can affect people of any age and both sexes. However, they are most common in men, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) and those over the age of 65.
The wall of the aorta normally has layers of supporting tissues. As people age, they may lose some of this tissue. This is thought to explain why aneurysms are more common in older people.
Your genetic make-up plays a part as you have a much higher chance of developing an AAA if one of your immediate relatives (parent, brother or sister) has or had one.
Certain other 'risk factors' increase the chance of getting an aneurysm. These include: smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, emphysema and obesity.
About 4 in 100 men over the age of 65 will develop an aneurysm, though not all will be of significant size, and about 1 in 100 will have a large aneurysm requiring surgery. They are about 6 times rarer in women.
| Size of aorta | Description | Risk of rupture/ year |
| 4cm or less | not an aneurysm | no real risk |
| 4 - 5cm | small aneurysm | about 1 in 100 |
| 5 - 6cm | AAA | about 1 in 12 |
| 6 - 7cm | large aneurysm | about 1 in 6 |
| over 7cm | very large aneurysm | about 1 in 4 or higher |
How are aneurysms discovered?
The majority of AAAs cause no symptoms and are discovered by chance. A routine examination by a doctor or an x-ray or scan performed for some other reason may pick up the presence of an aneurysm. Alternatively, some patients notice an abnormal pulsation in their abdomen. As the aneurysm stretches it can also cause pain in your back or abdomen.
In some parts of the country, screening for AAAs has been introduced. This is performed using an ultrasound scan. The scan will tell you if there is an aneurysm present and exactly how large it is.
A more detailed CT scan is sometimes done. This may be done if your doctor needs to know whether the aneurysm is affecting any of the arteries that come off the aorta. CT scans are also done by surgeons to help plan an operation.
If an aneurysm is suspected on clinical examination, or found on ultrasound, your GP will refer you to a Vascular Surgeon for advice.
What are the symptoms of an AAA?
Aneurysms generally take years to develop and it is rare for them to give symptoms during this time.
If you do develop symptoms you may experience one or more of the following:
- A pulsing feeling in your abdomen, similar to a heartbeat.
- Pain in your abdomen or lower back.
Do I need an operation to treat my aneurysm?
Not if your aneurysm is small. Research has shown that for people with aneurysms, measuring less than 5.5cms (about 2 inches), it is safer not to operate as the risks of having an operation are greater than the benefit1.
Most small aneurysms will not need treatment in the beginning, but need to be watched with regular scans. If they enlarge then you may need to have the aneurysm repaired. The scan test is done with ultrasound to measure the size of your aneurysm. This is a quick and painless test and is similar to the scans done on pregnant women to show a picture of their baby. How often you will need to have a scan will depend on the size of your aneurysm. If your AAA is small and it is unlikely that you will need a scan more than twice a year.
You will be told about the results of your scan. Occasionally you may be asked to attend the hospital clinic to be examined.
If you have any worries or concerns about your aneurysm you can discuss them with your vascular surgeon or specialist nurse. If your aneurysm starts to produce symptoms, or rapidly increases in size (as measured by the scan), you will be seen by your vascular surgeon as you may then need an operation to repair it. If your surgeon recommends an operation you will be given more information.
Why do I need to have my aneurysm checked regularly?
The larger your aneurysm becomes the more chance there is of it causing serious problems. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in the lower end of the aorta. In this position they can get bigger without causing any symptoms. Most aneurysms grow slowly at a rate of about 3mm (1/8th inch) per year. However, larger aneurysms are more likely to grow quickly so scans are done more frequently as the AAA enlarges1. If an AAA gets bigger there is an increased risk that it may leak or rupture (burst) without any warning.
What is the chance of a small AAA rupturing?
The chance of rupture is very low for small AAAs. For aneurysms measuring less than 5.5cm in diameter the risk of rupture is less than 1 in 100 per year1. As aneurysms get larger than 5.5cm, the risk of rupture increases and it is usually at this size that the option of surgery is considered. For any given size, rupture risk is increased in smokers, those with high blood pressure, and those with a family history of an AAA.
Each individuals risk from their AAA and from surgery may be different so any decision on treatment will be carefully considered by your vascular team and always discussed in detail with you and, when appropriate, your family.
Do I need to take things easy?
There is no need to limit your everyday activity now that you have been told you have an aneurysm. Moving around, lifting and exercise will not effect your aneurysm or cause damage. Exercise is important to improve your health and make you fitter and stronger for an operation if you need one.
Driving with an AAA
If you have a small AAA (<5.5cm) you are allowed to continue to drive. The DVLA should be notified if your aneurysm reaches 6cm in diameter, but you are allowed to continue to drive if you have had satisfactory medical treatment and there is no further enlargement of your AAA. If your AAA reaches 6.5cm in diameter you are disqualified from driving5.
HGV drivers are disqualified from driving if their AAA is 5.5cm in diameter, but can resume driving if the AAA is successfully treated5.
What can I do to help myself?
Smoking. If you are a smoker the single most important thing you can do to help yourself is to give up smoking2. Stopping smoking will also help to protect all of your arteries making it less likely that you will suffer from heart attacks or strokes. Giving up is not easy but there is a smoking cessation service and support groups that can help. Your vascular specialist nurse or GP practice nurse can advise you about these.
Inactivity. Gentle exercise such as walking and cycling are recommended to help to improve your overall level of fitness. Exercise helps your body to produce healthy cholesterol and this helps to protect your arteries against bad cholesterol.
High blood pressure. High blood pressure is a known risk factor for rupture of aneurysms. It is very important that you have your blood pressure checked regularly, at least every 6 months3,4. If you have been prescribed medication for high blood pressure you must make sure that you take it according to the instructions given.
Diabetes. If you have diabetes it is important that your blood sugar levels are well controlled.
High blood cholesterol levels (fatty substance) in your blood. You should eat a healthy balanced diet and try to reduce any excess weight. It is important to reduce the level of cholesterol in your blood: you will be given advice on how to do this. Your vascular nurse can refer you to a dietician if needed. You may be prescribed a statin drug to lower your cholesterol level and low-dose aspirin to help prevent blood clots from forming.
What do I do if I get new symptoms?
If you experience sudden onset of new severe abdominal pain or back pain that is distinct from any back pain you may have had previously, you may be developing a leak from your AAA or at immediate risk of rupture.
If you experience any of these things please dial 999 for an ambulance and tell the ambulance control that you have an aortic aneurysm and need to go urgently to hospital.
Do not drive yourself to hospital.
Treatment Options for AAAs
Surgery is commonly advised if you develop an AAA larger than 5.5cm in maximum diameter (about 5 cm in women). For these larger aneurysms the risk of rupture is usually higher than the risk of surgery. If you have a family history of ruptured aneurysm; surgery is also likely to be advised. The two types of operation available to repair your AAA are open surgery or endovascular repair.
However, if your general state of health is poor, or if you have certain other medical conditions, this may increase the risk if you have surgery. In some circumstances therefore the decision to operate may not be straightforward, and your surgeon may advise that you be medically managed if you are unfit for surgery.
What will happen after my outpatients’ appointment?
If you are being considered for treatment you may be asked to return to undergo tests of your fitness for surgery and the associated risks, along with a CT scan to examine your AAA more closely. You will be discussed in a meeting involving a surgeon, radiologist and anaesthetist to agree the best options in your case. Your specialist vascular surgeon and team will then give you a clear explanation and you will have full discussion involving your personal choice before a decision is made. Your best interests will always be taken into account and you are not obliged to undergo any treatment that you do not want.
Medical Treatment
If you are unfit for surgery at the current time, your doctor may wish to advise medical treatments aimed at keeping you healthy and reducing the risks of rupture of your AAA. These will include treating any high blood pressure and a high cholesterol and improving your fitness by treating any heart lung or kidney disease so that an operation may be performed at a later time. Patients with diabetes are less likely to have problems with surgery if their diabetic control is good. Regular moderate exercise can also help keep your heart and lungs healthy.
References
1. The UK Small Aneurysm Study Participants. 2 Mortality results for the randomised controlled trial of early elective surgery or ultrasonographic surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms. “Lancet 1998; 352:1649-55.
2. DOH Smoking kills. A white paper on tobacco. The Stationery Office, London, December 1998.
3. Kannel WB, Dawber TR, McGee DL. Perspectives on systolic hypertension. The framington study. Circulation 1980; 61; 1179-1182.
4. Stamler J, Stamler R, Neaton JD. Blood pressure, systolic and diastolic and cardiovascular risks. US population data. Archives of internal medicine 1993; 153; 598-615.
5. For Medical Practitioners. At a glance guide to current Medical Standards of fitness to drive. Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea. August 2010.
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that the information contained on this site is accurate, it is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and the Circulation Foundation recommends consulting your doctor or health care professional.
The Circulation Foundation cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting from any inaccuracy in this information or third party information such as information on websites to which we link.
The information provided is intended to support patients, not provide personal medical advice
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This free information is provided by the Circulation Foundation, a UK based charity. We provide information and patient support. Please help us by making a donation.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________