symptoms for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Sometimes patients with an AAA will have some non-descript abdominal discomfort or pain, but usually these things are asymptomatic. When things become REALLY symptomatic, it's usually because the AAA has ruptured and this can be fatal. Because AAAs are common and many people are asymptomatic, in Canada, any man over the age of 50 who has longstanding high blood pressure will be screened with an abdominal ultrasound to make sure there is no aneurysm present.
 
My father died from a ruptured AAA. He had no warning symptoms till the night of his death when he felt lightheaded, dizzy and had increasingly severe back pain.

Since AAA is often inherited, I had the ultrasound done. It took 5 minutes and was very easy. I'll have it again every ten years, till I hit 60, then every two years.
 
Aortic aneurysm is a ballooning or widening of the main artery. The most common aneurysm is a abdominal aorta. It is a gradual process that occurs primarily in elderly people. It doesn't really occur in young people. There is a tendency in families to develop aneurysms, anyone whose brother, sister or parents have had aneurysms should not neglect screening or testing.
Conventional treatment was removing the weak part out and replace it with a synthetic tube. A new treatment procedure called endovascular treatment is now being used and patients can go home in 24 hours.
 
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