Five Star Vein and Wellness Blog

Last time, in Part 2 of our three part series, we promised to talk about treatment for and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) greater than 5 cm in diameter. As you recall, this dilation is a weak area (aneurysm) on the blood vessel whose risk of rupture goes progressively higher with increasing diameter. Since the risk of rupture of an AAA of 5cm or greater averages 10%/year or higher and the open repair of AAA has a 5-6% mortality rate, it makes sense to repair AAAs greater than 5cm in diameter.

Last time, in Part 1, we discussed Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)—what it is and why it is a serious condition, being the 13th leading cause of death in this country. The question is what to do if you have the risk factors we discussed. How does one diagnose a problem that has no symptoms and is silent until it is too late?

In medical terms, AAA does not refer to highly rated bonds or an Automobile Association. Most physicians recognize that “AAA” means Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm; a silent killer that is the 13th leading cause of death in this country.