Free screening finds deadly AAAs

Nearly 200 people took advantage of a free abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening on a recent Saturday morning at the LSU Healthcare Network. LSU Health New Orleans vascular surgeons found three undiagnosed AAAs among them.

Aneurysms can develop slowly over many years, often with no symptoms. It is estimated that more than 1 million people are living today with an undiagnosed AAA.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area that balloons out in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. The aorta, about the thickness of a garden hose, runs from your heart through the center of your chest and abdomen. Aneurysms can develop slowly over many years, often with no symptoms.

When an abdominal aortic aneurysm begins to tear or ruptures, it is a medical emergency. Because the aorta is the body's main supplier of blood, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Only about 1 in 5 people survive a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

This type of aneurysm rupture is the third leading cause of sudden death in men 60 and older in the United States. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is most often seen in males over age 60 who have one or more risk factors – smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries and family history of AAA.

The screening test is a simple ultrasound of the abdomen. It only takes a few minutes and is painless. The images will help determine whether or not an aneurysm is present. If the aneurysm is found early, it can be treated to prevent rupturing.

The screening was a joint event of LSU Health New Orleans, LSU Healthcare Network, AAAneurysm Outreach and Peoples Health.