An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the wall of the aorta — the largest artery in your body — becomes weakened and begins to bulge or balloon. The aorta carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body, and when part of it enlarges, it can become dangerous if not monitored. The challenge with AAA is that it often causes no symptoms until it becomes large or ruptures, which is why screening is so important. Risk factors include age (especially over 65), a history of smoking, high blood pressure, and a family history of aneurysms.
Possible warning signs of an AAA include:
- A pulsing sensation in the abdomen
- Deep, steady pain in the lower abdomen or back
- Unexplained back or flank pain
- Sudden, severe abdominal or back pain (this is a medical emergency)
Wilmington Health Vascular Surgery is offering abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screenings using a simple, painless ultrasound exam. This non-invasive test takes only a few minutes and can accurately detect enlargement of the aorta. Early detection allows for safe monitoring of smaller aneurysms and timely treatment when necessary — often before symptoms ever develop.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 910-763-6289. For emergent or same-day appointment requests, please call our Limb Salvage Line at 910-772-5580.
