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Written by Biotic Artlab

Jul 20, 2026

Aortic abdominal aneurysm

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm, commonly abbreviated as AAA, develops when a section of the aorta in the abdomen becomes enlarged and bulges outward. The aorta is the body’s largest artery and carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs and tissues in the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is generally diagnosed when the abdominal aorta measures 3 centimetres or more in diameter.^1,2

Many people do not know they have an abdominal aortic aneurysm because it commonly develops without noticeable symptoms. Symptoms may not appear until an aneurysm becomes large, expands rapidly, leaks, or ruptures. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm causes severe internal bleeding and is a life-threatening medical emergency.^1,3

In the United States, aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections were recorded as the cause of 9,904 deaths in 2019. Early identification of an abdominal aortic aneurysm can allow doctors to monitor its growth and consider planned treatment before a rupture occurs.⁴

Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are discovered before symptoms develop, sometimes during imaging performed for another medical reason.

Society for Vascular Surgery

The aorta is designed to withstand continuous, high-pressure blood flow. Ageing, smoking, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, family history, and other factors may weaken or alter the artery wall over time. The affected section can then gradually enlarge.^2,3

Not every aneurysm requires immediate surgery. Smaller aneurysms may remain stable for years, while larger aneurysms and those that grow quickly carry a greater risk of rupture. Doctors use the aneurysm’s diameter, growth rate, symptoms, anatomy, and the patient’s overall health to determine whether surveillance or repair is appropriate.¹

Surveillance intervals vary according to aneurysm size. Current cardiovascular guidelines recommend imaging approximately every three years for aneurysms measuring 3.0 to 3.9 centimetres, with more frequent surveillance as the aneurysm becomes larger.¹

Elective repair is generally recommended when an abdominal aortic aneurysm reaches a diameter of at least 5.5 centimetres in men or 5.0 centimetres in women. Repair may also be recommended for a symptomatic or rapidly enlarging aneurysm, regardless of whether it has reached these thresholds.¹

Symptoms

One of the major challenges with abdominal aortic aneurysms is that they frequently cause no symptoms during their early stages.^2,3

When symptoms occur, they may include:

Persistent or deep pain in the abdomen
Pain in the lower back, side, groin, buttocks, or legs
A strong pulsing sensation near the belly button
A feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is a medical emergency.

Possible signs of rupture include:

Sudden, severe abdominal or back pain
Pain that may be described as tearing or ripping
Rapid heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Weakness, sweating, or pale skin
Dizziness, fainting, confusion, or shock

Call emergency medical services immediately if these symptoms occur.^2,3

Screening can identify an abdominal aortic aneurysm before symptoms or life-threatening complications develop.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Causes

There is rarely one single cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Most develop through a combination of ageing, vascular damage, inflammation, genetic susceptibility, and environmental risk factors.²

Factors associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm development include:

- Atherosclerosis: Changes associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may contribute to inflammation and weakening of the aortic wall.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is also associated with faster aneurysm growth and a greater likelihood of rupture.
- High blood pressure: Persistently elevated blood pressure places additional mechanical stress on the aortic wall.
- Age-related vascular changes: The structure and elasticity of the aorta can change with age, increasing susceptibility to aneurysm formation.
- Inflammatory or genetic conditions: Certain inherited connective-tissue disorders, genetic variants, and inflammatory diseases can weaken the aortic wall.
- Trauma or infection: Less commonly, severe injury or infection involving the aorta can contribute to aneurysm formation. ^2,4

Risk Factors

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Higher-risk groups include:

Adults aged 65 or older
People who currently smoke or previously smoked
Men
People with high blood pressure
People with cardiovascular or peripheral artery disease
People with a first-degree relative who has had an abdominal aortic aneurysm
People with an aneurysm in another part of the body

Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a history of smoking is associated with approximately 75% of abdominal aortic aneurysms.^2,4

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. Screening may be selectively offered to men in this age group who have never smoked. Recommendations for women differ because the balance of potential benefits and harms is less certain in some groups.⁵

Complications

The most serious complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is rupture. When an aneurysm ruptures, blood escapes into the abdomen or surrounding tissues, causing severe internal bleeding. Emergency treatment is required.^2,3

Other possible complications include:

Blood clots and embolization: Blood flow within an aneurysm may become disturbed, allowing clots to form. Material from a clot can travel into smaller arteries and reduce blood flow to the legs, feet, kidneys, or other organs.
Compression of nearby structures: A large aneurysm may place pressure on surrounding tissues and contribute to abdominal, back, or groin discomfort.
Complications following repair: Depending on the procedure, complications may include bleeding, infection, heart or kidney problems, graft-related problems, or continued blood flow into an aneurysm after endovascular repair.

Aortic dissection is a separate condition involving a tear between layers of the aortic wall. It occurs more commonly in the thoracic aorta than within a typical abdominal aortic aneurysm, although both conditions can involve the aorta and require urgent medical assessment.¹

Treatment

Treatment decisions depend on several factors, including:

The aneurysm’s diameter
How quickly it is growing
Whether it is causing symptoms
The aneurysm’s shape and location
The patient’s anatomy and overall health
The anticipated benefits and risks of repair

Smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms are generally monitored with scheduled ultrasound, CT, or MRI examinations. Surveillance imaging allows the healthcare team to measure changes in diameter and identify rapid growth.^1,2

The healthcare team may also recommend:

Stopping smoking
Controlling blood pressure
Managing cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors
Taking prescribed cardiovascular medications
Maintaining appropriate physical activity
Attending regular follow-up imaging appointments

These measures can improve overall cardiovascular health, although no medication has been shown to reliably make an established abdominal aortic aneurysm disappear.^1,2

Larger, symptomatic, or rapidly expanding aneurysms may require surgical repair.

Two common repair approaches include:

Open surgical repair: The surgeon reaches the aorta through an abdominal incision and replaces or bypasses the weakened section with a synthetic graft.
Endovascular aneurysm repair: EVAR is a less invasive procedure in which a stent graft is advanced through arteries in the groin and positioned inside the aorta to redirect blood flow away from the aneurysm.

EVAR generally involves a shorter initial recovery than open repair, but patients require ongoing imaging because graft movement, leakage around the graft, or other device-related complications can occur. Open repair involves a larger operation and longer initial recovery but may require less intensive long-term graft surveillance in some patients.^1,3

The most appropriate approach depends on the patient’s anatomy, age, overall health, surgical risk, preferences, and the characteristics of the aneurysm.

Prevention

Age and inherited susceptibility cannot be changed, but modifiable cardiovascular risk factors can be addressed.

Risk-reduction measures include:

Stopping smoking and avoiding tobacco exposure
Keeping blood pressure under control
Managing cholesterol levels
Following prescribed treatment for diabetes or cardiovascular disease
Staying physically active at a level approved by a healthcare professional
Maintaining a heart-healthy diet
Attending regular medical appointments when risk factors are present
Completing recommended ultrasound screening

These measures also help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other vascular complications.^2,4

Why visual communication matters for abdominal aortic aneurysms?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be difficult to explain using words alone. Patients may struggle to understand where the aneurysm is located, how the artery wall changes, why the aneurysm’s diameter matters, or how open repair and EVAR differ.

Medical illustrations, animations, and interactive visuals can help patients compare normal and affected anatomy, understand how an aneurysm develops, and visualize the steps involved in surveillance or surgical repair. Visual educational materials can also improve the communication of complex medical information during informed consent.⁶

Visual communication can support:

Abdominal aorta anatomy education
Comparison of a healthy aorta and an aneurysm
Aneurysm diameter and growth-rate explanations
Ultrasound and CT imaging education
Open surgical repair demonstrations
EVAR and stent-graft demonstrations
Device mechanism-of-action materials
Patient informed-consent resources
Healthcare professional training
Clinical trial and research communication

Clear visuals also improve communication among healthcare professionals, researchers, medical device companies, and patients. They make complex anatomical, procedural, and scientific information more accessible without sacrificing accuracy.

How Biotic Artlab supports abdominal aortic aneurysm communication

At Biotic Artlab, we transform complex vascular anatomy, surgical procedures, and scientific information into clear, accurate medical illustrations and animations.

We collaborate with healthcare organizations, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device developers, researchers, and publishers to create educational content that supports patient education, clinician training, scientific communication, and product marketing.

Whether you’re explaining aneurysm development, demonstrating endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), presenting clinical trial findings, or introducing a new medical technology, we create scientifically accurate illustrations and animations that improve understanding without oversimplifying the science.

Our services include:

Medical illustration
3D medical animation
Scientific illustration
Interactive medical education
Scientific figures for publications
Conference and presentation graphics
Medical device visualization
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical communication

Related services:

Medical Illustration
Medical Animation
Scientific Illustration
Interactive Medical Education
Biotechnology Marketing

Helpful external resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

What size abdominal aortic aneurysm requires surgery?

Current cardiovascular guidelines generally recommend repair when an abdominal aortic aneurysm reaches at least 5.5 centimetres in men or 5.0 centimetres in women. Repair may be considered sooner when the aneurysm is causing symptoms, growing rapidly, or has other concerning characteristics. Treatment decisions must be individualized by a vascular specialist.¹

Can an abdominal aortic aneurysm go away on its own?

An established abdominal aortic aneurysm does not normally heal or disappear on its own. Smaller aneurysms may remain stable and can often be managed with risk-factor control and regular imaging. Larger, symptomatic, or rapidly growing aneurysms may require repair.^1,3

Is abdominal aortic aneurysm hereditary?

Family history is an established risk factor. Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child, with an abdominal aortic aneurysm increases a person’s likelihood of developing one.^1,2

Can you exercise if you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Many people with a stable abdominal aortic aneurysm can remain physically active. The appropriate type and intensity of exercise depend on the aneurysm’s size, symptoms, blood pressure, other medical conditions, and the treating clinician’s recommendations. Patients should ask their healthcare professional before beginning vigorous exercise or heavy resistance training.¹

What is the biggest risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Smoking is consistently identified as the strongest modifiable risk factor for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is also associated with faster aneurysm growth and a greater risk of rupture.^2,4

Is screening recommended?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. Screening may be selectively offered to men in this age group who have never smoked. Evidence is currently insufficient for a general recommendation in women aged 65 to 75 who have smoked or have a family history, while routine screening is not recommended for women who have never smoked and have no family history.⁵

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Medical information becomes more effective when people can see what is happening. We help healthcare organizations, biotechnology companies, and medical device teams communicate complex science through accurate, engaging visual content.

References

Isselbacher EM, Preventza O, Hamilton Black J III, et al.
2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: Key Perspectives.
American College of Cardiology; 2022.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Aortic Aneurysm.
National Institutes of Health.
Society for Vascular Surgery.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About Aortic Aneurysm.
Updated May 15, 2024.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Screening.
December 10, 2019.
Glaser J, Nouri S, Fernandez A, et al.
Interventions to Improve Patient Comprehension in Informed Consent for Medical and Surgical Procedures: An Updated Systematic Review.
Medical Decision Making. 2020.

Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, emergency care, or individualized advice from a qualified healthcare professional.