What is AAA in men?

In men, AAA stands for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, a serious condition where the body's main artery (the aorta) weakens in the belly, forming a balloon-like bulge that can be fatal if it ruptures. It's much more common in men, especially those over 65, with smoking being a major risk factor, leading to national screening programs for older men.

What are the symptoms of AAA in men?

In most cases, an AAA causes no noticeable symptoms. However, if it becomes large, some people may develop a pain or a pulsating feeling in their abdomen (tummy) or persistent back pain. An AAA doesn't usually pose a serious threat to health, but there's a risk that a larger aneurysm could burst (rupture).

What is the AAA test for men?

The AAA screening programme

The screening consists of a painless, non-invasive ultrasound scan. Men aged 65 or over are most at risk of AAAs. Screening can help spot a swelling in the aorta early on when it can be treated. Patients can find information about AAA screening on the NHS.UK website.

What is the life expectancy of someone with AAA?

How long you live with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) depends heavily on its size, whether it ruptures, and your overall health, but many people with small, monitored AAAs live long lives, while a ruptured AAA is often fatal within hours unless treated immediately. Survival after repair for intact AAAs is good (around 65-78% at 5 years), but ruptured AAAs have much lower survival rates (around 40-48% at 5 years). Managing underlying conditions like heart disease and diabetes is crucial for long-term outlook. 

Is AAA a serious condition?

Yes, an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is very dangerous because if it ruptures (bursts), it causes massive internal bleeding and is often fatal, requiring immediate emergency medical attention. While many small AAAs grow slowly and pose little immediate risk, larger ones have a higher chance of rupturing, making early detection through screening (like ultrasound) crucial for at-risk individuals (older men, smokers, family history).
 

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening explained

Are there early warning signs of an aortic aneurysm?

Aortic aneurysms are often silent, with no warning signs until they are large or rupture, but potential symptoms include deep chest, back, or abdominal pain, a throbbing sensation in the abdomen, shortness of breath, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing, depending on the location of the bulge. These signs indicate pressure on nearby tissues or an imminent rupture, requiring immediate medical attention, but routine screenings are key for early detection in at-risk individuals.
 

Can you live a normal life with AAA?

While all aneurysms are potentially serious, following your treatment plan can help you manage your symptoms and keep the condition from getting worse. You can continue living a full, productive life with the help of your health care team.

Can you fully recover from an aortic aneurysm?

Physicians and surgeons usually consider that a patient's life expectancy will be fully recovered after surgery. However, replacing a part of the aorta will not prevent the rest of it from being subject to the same risk factors that caused the aneurysmal formation.

Can stress cause an aortic aneurysm?

Long-term stress can cause high blood pressure, a risk for aortic aneurysms. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can weaken blood vessel walls. Studies on animals show stress can change the aortic wall, making it more likely to form an aneurysm.

Can alcohol cause aortic aneurysm?

In a meta-analysis, although lower levels of alcohol consumption appeared to be associated with a lower risk of AAA, the risk of AAA appeared to increase with increasing alcohol consumption after the threshold of approximately 15 to 20 g/day was reached.

How common is AAA in men?

Around 1 in 70 men aged 65 in England has an AAA. Around 3,000 deaths each year in men aged 65 and over in England and Wales from ruptured AAA . Deaths from ruptured AAA account for 1.7% of all deaths in men aged 65 and over.

What are the early signs of an aneurysm?

Early signs of an unruptured brain aneurysm, when it's large enough to press on nerves, include a dilated pupil, vision changes (double/blurred vision), a drooping eyelid, pain above or behind one eye, or numbness on one side of the face; a ruptured aneurysm causes a sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache, nausea, stiff neck, and confusion, requiring immediate emergency care.
 

How is AAA usually diagnosed?

Healthcare providers recommend an ultrasound screening for people at risk for an AAA. This imaging test is simple and painless and shows if you have an AAA. If you do, your provider will recommend additional ultrasounds at regular intervals (usually every six to 12 months) to monitor the aneurysm.

How long can you have an aortic aneurysm before it ruptures?

You can have an aortic aneurysm for a long time, as they often grow slowly (1-2mm/year) and may not rupture for years, but the risk escalates significantly with size; aneurysms over 5.5 cm have a substantially higher chance of rupture, with 6+ cm sizes carrying annual rupture risks of several percent (e.g., 3-15% for 5-5.9cm, 10-20% for 6-6.9cm), necessitating monitoring and often surgery to prevent a life-threatening tear. 

What is the number one cause of abdominal aortic aneurysms?

The most common cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), where plaque buildup weakens the aortic wall, causing it to bulge, often alongside smoking, high blood pressure, and a family history, which are major risk factors that accelerate this weakening process. Inflammation and genetic factors also play significant roles in the breakdown of the aortic wall's structural integrity.
 

What does it feel like when an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures?

Symptoms of a ruptured AAA include: Sudden, severe pain in your abdomen, lower back, or scrotum. Dizziness. Fainting.

Who is most likely to get an aortic aneurysm?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in men and among people age 65 and older. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common among White people than among Black people. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually caused by atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), but infection or injury can also cause them.

Can you fix an aortic aneurysm without surgery?

Aortic Aneurysm Repair With Stent-Grafts at UVA Health

Here, we can offer you aortic aneurysm repair without major surgery. You can avoid big cuts on your body and a long recovery time. We can put in a stent-graft (a metal and fabric tube) to support your aorta.

Does caffeine affect aortic aneurysm?

Among participants with coffee consumption ≤ 5 cups/day, current smokers versus never smokers had a 3-fold higher risk of non-ruptured and ruptured AAA (HR = 3.12, 95%CI = 2.62–3.71 and HR = 2.90, 95%CI = 1.95–4.31, respectively); the risk increased with coffee consumption > 5 cups/day and was a 4-fold higher (HR = ...

How do you stop an aortic aneurysm from growing?

To stop an aortic aneurysm from growing, you must aggressively manage risk factors like quitting smoking, controlling high blood pressure with diet/exercise/medication, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing cholesterol, alongside regular medical monitoring. While lifestyle changes slow growth, if an aneurysm is large or growing fast, doctors may recommend surgical repair (open surgery or less invasive EVAR/TEVAR) to prevent rupture, as there's no pill to shrink it.
 

Can I fly with an aortic aneurysm?

Get the crucial travel safety facts and powerful advice for managing this serious condition now. An aortic aneurysm happens when the aortic wall weakens, causing a bulge. This bulge can burst if not treated. Flying with this condition is risky because of air pressure changes and the physical strain of travel.

How long in hospital after aortic aneurysm surgery?

Most people remain in the hospital for 5-7 days, and report feeling weak for a week or two following surgery. It takes around six weeks before the sternum is completely healed, so heavy lifting during that time is not permitted.

How risky is AAA surgery?

Aneurysm surgery can save lives. But it can also can lead to serious complications, especially lung complications and damage to the heart. The implanted piece of artificial blood vessel may become infected. The surgery may even lead to death, for example due to circulatory collapse.

What age is common for AAA?

Your risk for aortic aneurysms goes up as you age. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in adults after age 65.

What not to do with an aortic aneurysm?

With an aortic aneurysm, you should avoid smoking, heavy lifting, high-impact sports, and activities that significantly raise your blood pressure or heart rate, like certain stimulants or straining exercises, while focusing on managing blood pressure through diet and medication to prevent expansion and rupture. Always consult your doctor for personalized guidance, as restrictions vary.