Basic Info About Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

By Author: Suzanne Campbell
Total Articles: 36
Comment this article

A lot of people may not be familiar with abdominal aortic aneurysm since this condition also known as AAA or Triple A occurs frequently only among people between 65 and 75 years old who also have most of its risk factors. This type of aneurysm is characterized by the dilatation or ballooning of the abdominal aorta wherein it reaches more than 50 percent of its actual size. Almost all incidents of AAA transpire below the kidneys. However, it is also possible for them to take place above or within the level of the kidneys.

Causes and Risk Factors

While the particular reason of Triple A is not determined, there are risk factors that are often regarded to be responsible in the occurrence of the dilatation. Like in other diseases, lifestyle plays a major role in the incidence of this condition.

Smoking

As the 332disclaimer in cigarette ads say, “Smoking is dangerous to your health.” And it really is. It is a culprit in most lifestyle diseases. Cigarette smoking will augment a person’s chance of having AAA and aneurysm rupture.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels

If ...
... a person’s blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time, then he has hypertension. Similarly, one is a candidate if one is obese, often stressed or anxious, heavy alcohol drinker, eats too much salt in his diet, has diabetes, and has a family history of high blood pressure.

Other Factors

Additionally, being male can also increase one’s chances of having abdominal aortic aneurysm. Likewise, having emphysema and genetic factors can also make you acquire this condition.

Frequency and Occurrence of Triple A

After knowing the risk factors, it is now time to look at the stats of AAA.
• In every 250 individuals aged 50, one is likely to die due to a the bursting of a ballooned abdominal aorta
• About 8% of individuals aged 65 is likely to have this aneurysm
• As mentioned above, males are more prone to Triple A for about 4 times than women.
• Again, males, specially those who are above 60 years old who smokes or smoked and had atherosclerosis before will be more at risk
• This type of aneurysm holds the 17th spot in the US’s stats on death causes.
• Half of the number of patients with Triple A and does not go through health management dies of a rupture.

Diagnosing Abdominal AA

A physician or healthcare practitioner may conduct a physical exam particularly a feeling of the abdomen—both sides and midline to determine whether the pulsation of the abdominal aorta is normal. A stethoscope may also come handy to hear abnormal sound caused by instability of blood within the aneurysm. Moreover, x-rays, ultrasound, and computerized tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen can detect and determine the size of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, CT scan uses a lot of radiation and to analyze the blood vessels, a sort of dye had to be used. This dye can then cause an allergic reaction or irritation to the kidneys.