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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary If you already have symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and your doctor suspects that you have one, this topic is not for you. Your doctor will want you to have the test. An aortic aneurysm (say "a-OR-tik AN-yuh-rih-zum") is a bulge in part of the aorta, the body's main artery. When this bulge is in the belly (abdomen), it's called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's often called "triple A" or "AAA" for short. These bulges are most common in men older than age 65, people with high blood pressure, and people who smoke. AAAs sometimes run in families. Most aortic aneurysms never cause problems, especially if they're small, don't cause symptoms, and don't grow fast. But if the bulge gets too big, it can burst, or rupture, which is often deadly. When the bulge is small, not causing symptoms, and not growing fast, it is safe to watch it carefully and wait to have treatment. Small aneurysms rarely rupture. Repair of the aneurysm is usually recommended if the AAA is large, causing symptoms, or is growing fast. There are two ways to repair an aneurysm. One is traditional open surgery. The other is a less invasive procedure called endovascular repair, during which a tube called a stent graft is inserted through an artery in the groin. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. The AAA screening test is an ultrasound test. You lie on a table while a technician does the test. After the test, a radiologist looks at the pictures to see if you have an aneurysm. AAA screening is fast and painless. It is usually done in the doctor's office or at a hospital. It may seem obvious that AAA screening is good, because it might save your life by finding a bulge before it bursts. The test itself doesn't have risks. But what if you learn during the test that you have a bulge in your aorta? There's no way to know for sure if the bulge will rupture in the future. So you might decide to have surgery or a procedure to fix it. That's where the risks are. Repairing an AAA can be very risky. The benefits outweigh the risks when the aneurysm is at risk of bursting. Repair of an AAA can cause problems later, like blood clots or problems with the stent graft in the aorta. And some people die during the operation or soon after. You can see why it's so important to talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of AAA screening outweigh the risks in your case. Not all doctors agree on who should be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of screening would outweigh the risks in your case. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening test for men who are ages 65 to 75 and have ever smoked.footnote 3 Some doctors think that men 65 years and older should be screened if they have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend screening for women who have never smoked and have no family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm.footnote 3 Women have a lower risk for an aneurysm than men do. But some doctors think that certain women should be screened. Some recommend screening for women who are 65 and older and either have smoked or have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I have high blood pressure, and I'm a smoker. I've heard about AAAs and how people usually die when they burst. It's pretty scary. I figure it can't hurt to have the test. And I'll just feel better, because either I'll know I don't have an aneurysm or I'll find out I do have one and I can get treatment. Hayden, age 59 My father died when his aneurysm ruptured. So I've been worried about my risk and decided to ask my doctor about it. She explained why this screening probably isn't for me, because even though I have a family history, I'm a woman, and my risk just isn't that high. I'm going to skip this test. Sharon, age 65 I've never been a smoker, but I do have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. So I'm nervous about having an aneurysm that could rupture and maybe kill me. I'm going to ask my doctor if I need to get screened. Jerry, age 68 I smoked in college, but that was decades ago. My doctor says my heart is healthy. If I had the test and they found a small aneurysm, I'd worry about it all the time, probably for no reason. No, thanks! I'm not going to have the test now. Maybe in a few years, when my risk is higher. Abed, age 60 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have AAA screening Reasons not to have AAA screening I'm very worried that I may have an aneurysm that could burst some day. I'm not at all worried that I may have an aneurysm that could rupture. I'm willing to have surgery that is very risky if screening shows I may need it. I'm not willing to have surgery for an aneurysm. I want the peace of mind of knowing that I don't have an aneurysm. I don't need a test to give me peace of mind. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having AAA screening NOT having AAA screening Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. If you already have symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and your doctor suspects that you have one, this topic is not for you. Your doctor will want you to have the test. An aortic aneurysm (say "a-OR-tik AN-yuh-rih-zum") is a bulge in part of the aorta, the body's main artery. When this bulge is in the belly (abdomen), it's called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's often called "triple A" or "AAA" for short. These bulges are most common in men older than age 65, people with high blood pressure, and people who smoke. AAAs sometimes run in families. Most aortic aneurysms never cause problems, especially if they're small, don't cause symptoms, and don't grow fast. But if the bulge gets too big, it can burst, or rupture, which is often deadly. When the bulge is small, not causing symptoms, and not growing fast, it is safe to watch it carefully and wait to have treatment. Small aneurysms rarely rupture. Repair of the aneurysm is usually recommended if the AAA is large, causing symptoms, or is growing fast. There are two ways to repair an aneurysm. One is traditional open surgery. The other is a less invasive procedure called endovascular repair, during which a tube called a stent graft is inserted through an artery in the groin. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. The AAA screening test is an ultrasound test. You lie on a table while a technician does the test. After the test, a radiologist looks at the pictures to see if you have an aneurysm. AAA screening is fast and painless. It is usually done in the doctor's office or at a hospital. It may seem obvious that AAA screening is good, because it might save your life by finding a bulge before it bursts. The test itself doesn't have risks. But what if you learn during the test that you have a bulge in your aorta? There's no way to know for sure if the bulge will rupture in the future. So you might decide to have surgery or a procedure to fix it. That's where the risks are. Repairing an AAA can be very risky. The benefits outweigh the risks when the aneurysm is at risk of bursting. Repair of an AAA can cause problems later, like blood clots or problems with the stent graft in the aorta. And some people die during the operation or soon after. You can see why it's so important to talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of AAA screening outweigh the risks in your case. Not all doctors agree on who should be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of screening would outweigh the risks in your case. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening test for men who are ages 65 to 75 and have ever smoked.3 Some doctors think that men 65 years and older should be screened if they have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend screening for women who have never smoked and have no family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm.3 Women have a lower risk for an aneurysm than men do. But some doctors think that certain women should be screened. Some recommend screening for women who are 65 and older and either have smoked or have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I have high blood pressure, and I'm a smoker. I've heard about AAAs and how people usually die when they burst. It's pretty scary. I figure it can't hurt to have the test. And I'll just feel better, because either I'll know I don't have an aneurysm or I'll find out I do have one and I can get treatment." — Hayden, age 59 "My father died when his aneurysm ruptured. So I've been worried about my risk and decided to ask my doctor about it. She explained why this screening probably isn't for me, because even though I have a family history, I'm a woman, and my risk just isn't that high. I'm going to skip this test." — Sharon, age 65 "I've never been a smoker, but I do have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. So I'm nervous about having an aneurysm that could rupture and maybe kill me. I'm going to ask my doctor if I need to get screened." — Jerry, age 68 "I smoked in college, but that was decades ago. My doctor says my heart is healthy. If I had the test and they found a small aneurysm, I'd worry about it all the time, probably for no reason. No, thanks! I'm not going to have the test now. Maybe in a few years, when my risk is higher." — Abed, age 60 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have AAA screening Reasons not to have AAA screening I'm very worried that I may have an aneurysm that could burst some day. I'm not at all worried that I may have an aneurysm that could rupture. I'm willing to have surgery that is very risky if screening shows I may need it. I'm not willing to have surgery for an aneurysm. I want the peace of mind of knowing that I don't have an aneurysm. I don't need a test to give me peace of mind. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having AAA screening NOT having AAA screening 1.
Does AAA screening help prevent death from ruptured aneurysms? 2.
Can AAA screening be harmful? 3.
Which group is most likely to get AAAs? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: July 31, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review BoardAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
What is the treatment for AAA?
What is the screening test for AAA?
What are the benefits?
What are the risks?
Why might your doctor recommend screening?
Compare your options
Personal stories about considering AAA screening
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
What is the treatment for AAA?
What is the screening test for AAA?
What are the benefits?
What are the risks?
Why might your doctor recommend screening?
2. Compare your options
Get screened for AAA Don't get screened for AAA What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about considering AAA screening
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.