Aorta is the largest artery in the body and the primary blood vessel that distributes blood from the heart to the chest and abdomen. Any leakage in the aorta can cause serious consequences since it is the main blood vessel supplying major organs of the body. Due to some reasons the aorta gets dilated and can develop ballooning and this is known as abdominal aortic aneurysm. Due to developing pressure inside the artery, the walls of the artery gets inflamed leading to aneurysm. Often abdominal aneurysm does not produce any symptom until it ruptures inside. The chance of rupturing of abdominal aortic aneurysm increases with its size. Surgery can be done for AAA which is often risky.
Causes :
Why certain people develop abdominal aortic aneurysm and some others do not – is not known. It is believed to develop in older people and to some extent genetic factors play an important role.
- As one grows old certain tissues formed by elastin and collagen (essential supporting layer of aorta) loses its strength leading to AAA.
- Smoking can increase the risk of forming abdominal aneurysm since it can form plaque like deposits on the arteries leading to high blood pressure.
- Atherosclerosis is a process of hardening of arteries that can cause AAA. Any infection on the aorta can weaken the walls of the artery leading to AAA.
- For some people aneurysm can develop in the upper region of aorta which is known as thoracic aorta aneurysm.
- Abdominal aorta aneurysm is one that develops due to thickening of aorta in the lower region.
- One out of every 100 women and 4 out of every 100 men above 65 years has increased chance of developing AAA.
Symptoms :
Ballooning of artery in the abdominal region does not develop overnight. It is a process that occurs slowly. Often AAA will not produce any symptoms unless there is enough pressure on the arteries for it to rupture. It is really difficult to detect abdominal aneurysm since it is subtle and silent growing without any symptoms. Some people may have signs of mild back pain, sharp pain in the sides of abdomen and a pulsating feeling in the navel.