The Basics
If you are a man age 65 to 75 and have ever smoked, talk with your doctor about abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Your doctor may order an ultrasound test to check for AAA. An ultrasound uses sound waves to look inside the body. Most types of ultrasounds are painless.
Aneurysms (“AN-yoor-izms”) usually grow slowly without any symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your doctor about your risk.
If aneurysms grow large enough to burst (break open), they can cause dangerous bleeding inside the body and death. If AAA is found early, it can be treated to stop it from bursting.
