The aorta, your body’s largest artery, acts as the main route for carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart. It starts near the bottom left of your heart, then travels up through your chest and down into your abdomen. The aorta branches out into smaller blood vessels, and these vessels deliver blood to the abdomen, legs and pelvis.
When the walls of the portion of the aorta in your abdomen weaken, it can allow the aorta to balloon out and bulge. This bulge is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). As the aneurysm gets larger, the risk of it breaking open or rupturing increases. An abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture is a life-threatening medical emergency.
The vascular experts at the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute have the knowledge and experience needed to diagnose and repair abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients in Kentucky.
If you or someone around you is experiencing signs of an abdominal aneurysm rupture such as dizziness, fainting, pain in the abdomen, back, groin, buttocks or legs, rapid heart rate or nausea and vomiting, call 911 immediately. Do not wait or try to drive yourself to the hospital. Every second counts, and emergency responders can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
As abdominal aortic aneurysms develop, they may not cause any symptoms at first. When an aneurysm increases rapidly in size, leaks blood within the artery or ruptures, you may feel severe discomfort and other symptoms in the affected part of the body.
Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Pain in the abdomen, back, groin, buttocks or legs
- Rapid heart rate
- Shock
Nausea and vomiting, along with clammy skin, are symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysms. They most commonly occur when an aneurysm ruptures. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Aortic aneurysms occur because of an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta, which is the body’s largest blood vessel. This weakness can be caused by many factors, including:
- Atherosclerosis, or fatty buildup in blood vessels
- High blood pressure
- Tobacco use
There is no specific way to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysms, but you can lower your risk with healthy lifestyle habits:
- Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. Limit sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Avoid vaping and secondhand smoke as well.
- Keep updated on vaccines. Ask your provider about flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines that can help you avoid illness.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should aim for no more than one drink each day.
- Manage other health problems. Take medication for high blood pressure and diabetes and follow your provider’s guidance.
- Sleep well every night. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. Talk to your provider about which exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard. If you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest.
- Watch your weight. Take steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Having high blood pressure and smoking or using tobacco products are risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Other risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- Being age 50 or older if male and age 65 or older if female
- Having a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Having an atherosclerosis-related heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease
- Having certain inherited vascular connective tissue disorders
A family history of aneurysms is a significant risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysms. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, having a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) who has had an abdominal aortic aneurysm makes you 12 times more likely to develop an AAA.
Prognosis is best when an abdominal aortic aneurysm is treated before it ruptures.
Smaller aneurysms are often managed with medicines that may delay additional aneurysm growth. However, larger aneurysms (over 5.5cm) can be treated with elective surgery. One study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that the 10-year survival rate for patients undergoing elective AAA repair was 61.9% for those younger than 70 and about 20% for those older than 80 or with other pre-existing health conditions.
Because a ruptured aneurysm is an emergency that can lead to internal bleeding, positive outcomes are less likely when an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture occurs. The National Library of Medicine reports that only 1 in 5 people survive a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
In the event of an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, you will seek initial care in the emergency department. As the area’s most advanced emergency department — and home to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute — UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital is the preferred choice for patients experiencing emergency, life-threatening cardiovascular events. Whether you arrive by ambulance or are transferred from another hospital, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of the region’s most advanced vascular surgery team.
By the time you get to the hospital via emergency transport, Emergency Medical Services or the team that facilitated your transfer will have shared your symptoms and any known diagnosis with our emergency department.
Following emergency treatment, you may recover in our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to your hospital room. Once you are ready to go home or to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, you will be assigned a UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute vascular expert for any ongoing care needed.
If your aneurysm is discovered before it becomes an emergency, your first visit will be in our outpatient Comprehensive Vascular Clinic.
In most cases, your first visit to UK HealthCare Comprehensive Vascular Clinic is a time of education and introductions. You meet members of your care team and learn about detecting, treating and managing your vascular condition.
Diagnosing vascular disease is a unique process that requires detective work. One of the most important steps toward diagnosis is listening to your story. Your team will ask a lot of questions about your symptoms and medical history. The goal is to gather all the information that can help pinpoint the source of your vascular issue.
Along with discussing your medical history, you will undergo a physical examination. Your care team will then be able to determine the proper next step to take on your diagnostic journey.
When appropriate, your team may prescribe one or more diagnostic tests. These tests typically take place on a different day, and your care team helps schedule them at your convenience. In some cases, you will undergo an ultrasound or other testing as part of your initial visit.
When coming to your first vascular appointment, plan to do the following:
- Arrive early. You may need to fill out paperwork when you arrive. Getting to your appointment early ensures you have time to complete paperwork without feeling rushed.
- Bring a current list of medications or supplements you take. You should also list any previous surgeries, symptoms you’ve experienced and other past health issues.
- Dress comfortably. Working toward a diagnosis takes time. Comfortable clothes help you remain relaxed and attentive throughout your visit. They also make it easier for your team to perform your physical exam.
- Eat and drink normally. In most cases, you won’t undergo imaging or other testing at your first visit. Therefore, there are no dietary restrictions. If specialized testing is part of your first visit, a team member will call to explain any dietary restrictions to follow for your visit. We will also mail you a letter with instructions.
- Have your insurance information on hand. UK HealthCare accepts most insurers, and financial assistance is available.
- Request a loved one to join you. Bring a family member or friend with you to take notes and ask questions you may not think of asking.
Where we are
UK HealthCare Comprehensive Vascular Clinic is located at 740 S. Limestone on the fifth floor, wing D, room L-504.
Where to park
Please park in the parking garage across the street, which is located at 140 Huguelet Drive. For easiest access, drive to the back of the garage and use one of the parking spots reserved for patients of the Comprehensive Vascular Clinic. Once inside, you can access further assistance at the information desk. Wheelchairs are available upon request.
Our vascular care experts help residents of Central Kentucky and beyond improve their vascular health every day. To improve the future of treatment and management of vascular conditions, they also participate in clinical trials.
At any given time, our staff engages in trials for new treatments and devices that provide better treatment and management of vascular conditions. By offering access to clinical trials, we provide access to vascular treatment not available at many other facilities.
If you’re a candidate for an ongoing trial, your care team will discuss the possibility with you.
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