{"id":1358,"date":"2024-09-17T03:09:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T10:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.empirevein.com\/?page_id=1358"},"modified":"2025-05-15T04:45:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T11:45:05","slug":"abdominal-aortic-aneurysm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/vascular-services\/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm\/","title":{"rendered":"Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The aorta, the body’s largest artery, transports blood from the heart through the chest and abdomen. A weakened aortic wall can bulge, forming an aneurysm. When this occurs in the abdominal section, it’s called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Over 200,000 people<\/a> in the United States are diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysms annually, and approximately 15,000 die each year from a ruptured AAA. This high mortality rate highlights the importance of early detection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AAA occurs when the wall of the abdominal aorta weakens, causing it to expand like a balloon. The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Over time, the weakening of the aortic wall\u2014often due to the breakdown of its structural proteins\u2014creates a fragile bulge. If left untreated, this weakened area can rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding that can be life-threatening. Certain lifestyle choices, age, or medical conditions increase the risk of AAA.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Who Should Get Screened?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Men over 65 who have smoked are at the highest risk and qualify for a AAA and are eligible for Medicare-covered screening.<\/strong> <\/em>However, other risk factors, such as a family history of aneurysms or other vascular diseases, may also warrant screening.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk Factors & Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors for AAA include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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