Aneurysm: Abdominal

An aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel that causes a bulging effect, like the bulge on a tire's inner tube when it is overinflated. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weak spot and bulge in the major artery in the abdomen, the aorta.

A normal aorta can be felt in thin people as a pulsing tube deep inside the abdomen. If there is an aneurysm, this tube will seem larger than it should be. As the aneurysm gets larger, it is more easily felt. It may also begin to cause back or abdominal pain. Sometimes an aneurysm is detected on an x-ray or other test.

An aneurysm is usually caused by a slow weakening of the blood vessel wall. Most often, the wall has been weakened by high blood pressure or heart disease. Sometimes a person is born with a weak portion of a blood vessel. Occasionally the wall of the aneurysm will begin to leak, while other times the wall may suddenly break. If the wall of a major blood vessel breaks, it is often fatal.

When an abdominal aortic aneurysm is found, the healthcare provider may want to do tests to see how big it is and find out if the blood is flowing normally through the bulging area. Sometimes the blood can flow along the outside edge of the bulge. This can cut off the blood supply to other blood vessels and make it easier for the aneurysm to rupture.

It may not be necessary to treat a small aneurysm, but it's important to watch it over time. Surgery will be needed if the aneurysm is large, growing, or leaking. During the operation, the surgeon replaces the damaged part of the aorta with an artificial tube. This lets the blood flow normally and keeps the blood vessel from breaking.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association or call (800) 242-8721.

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