The Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute reports that 95 percent of all abdominal aortic aneurysms (also referred to as "triple A" or AAA) are caused by atherosclerosis (fatty plaque build up in blood vessels). Symptoms of the disorder are often only found on a routine physical exam by a physician. Initially, the disorder may not be serious, according to the Johns Hopkins' Guide to Symptoms and Remedies, as the aneurysm may be small and slow growing. In the case of larger and rapidly growing aneurysms, medication and surgery may be required.
Physician Findings
In most cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms, the disorder is discovered upon physician examination by a doctor. The doctor, when palpating the abdominal region, will notice a pulsating rhythm in the abdominal area. The doctor will likely order an x-ray, CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Upon determining the size and severity of the aneurysm, the doctor will decide whether simply to monitor the aneurysm or aggressively treat the aneurysm with medication and/or surgery. The Cleveland Clinic states that if the aneurysm is small, patients may only have to return to the doctor for an updated ultrasound every six to 12 months. It appears possible that patients may live for years with the aneurysm without immediate risk to their lives.
Chest Pain
Because many people do not visit their doctors until there is a problem, the first indication of abdominal aortic aneurysm is often severe chest pain. The triple A sufferer may believe he is having a heart attack. If the chest pain is severe enough and the cause, in fact, is an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the pain may be signaling a currently dissecting aneurysm. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines a dissecting aneurysm as one which occurs when blood infiltrates necrotic layers of a blood vessel and separates them; excruciating pain may result.
Lower Body Pain
Severe backache, leg pain, cool-to-cold lower extremities and severe abdominal pain may indicate a saccular or fusiform abdominal aneurysm. A fusiform triple A occurs when all the walls of the blood vessel dilate equally, creating a balloon-like structure in which the blood vessel passes through the middle. A saccular triple A forms when one side of the vessel wall is weaker, usually due to an injury to the body, and the vessel bulges out on one side.
Any severe pain that is sudden and acute should be investigated by a health care practitioner as soon as possible. Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be fatal. The Johns Hopkins Guide to Symptoms and Remedies states that in approximately 50 percent of all cases with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, death occurs. Patients, especially seniors, are encouraged to be screened for triple A at their regular annual physicals with their physicians. The Cleveland Clinic advises that Medicare, as part of its "Welcome to Medicare" physical, offers a free one-time abdominal ultrasound to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
References
- Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute: Aortic Aneurysms
- "Guide to Symptoms and Remedies;" Johns Hopkins; 2004
- The Cleveland Clinic Foundation: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- The Mayo Clinic: Aortic Aneurysm
- "Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary;" F.A. Davis Company; 2009
