When identified early, aortic aneurysms can be treated successfully
An aneurysm occurs when the wall of a blood vessel weakens and bulges out. An aortic aneurysm develops in the wall of the aorta, the main blood vessel carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Types of aortic aneurysm
There are two main types of aortic aneurysms:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): An AAA develops in the part of the aorta that sits in your abdomen, where it supplies blood to the lower part of your body. AAAs are the most common type of aortic aneurysm.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA): A TAA occurs in the part of the aorta in your chest (thorax), where it leaves the heart. TAAs are rare, affecting fewer than 10 out of every 100,000 people.
Aneurysms can develop in other places as well. For example, aortic root aneurysms occur in the aortic root, the part of the aorta closest to the heart. An aneurysm in this spot can cause the aortic valve (one of the heart’s main valves) to leak, sending blood backward into the heart.
Aortic aneurysm symptoms
Most people with aortic aneurysms do not have any symptoms unless the bulge has grown very large or bursts. Large AAAs can cause symptoms such as:
- Abdominal tenderness
- Pain in the stomach area, buttocks, groin or lower back
- Sores or discolored skin on the feet or toes
Large TAAs can cause different symptoms, including:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Upper back pain
An aortic aneurysm that bursts is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention. The most common sign is a sharp or tearing pain that appears without warning.
Other signs of aortic aneurysm rupture include:
- Clammy skin
- Fainting or passing out
- Feeling dizzy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen, back, chest or shoulder
Aortic aneurysm causes
It’s unclear why aortic aneurysms occur. However, people with heart problems are more likely to develop AAAs and TAAs.
You’re at an increased risk of developing an aortic aneurysm if you have the following risk factors:
- 50 years or older
- Male
- White ethnicity
- Family history of aortic aneurysm or atherosclerosis
- Certain genetic conditions such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Turner syndrome or inflamed arteries
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- History of smoking
Diagnosing aortic aneurysm
Many AAAs are discovered during imaging for different issues. If a scan for something else shows a suspected AAA, your provider will order an aortic sonogram, a type of vascular ultrasound, to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the size of the aneurysm, you may need a follow-up CT scan or MRI to determine the right treatment plan.
A TAA may also appear on a chest X-ray or imaging for another condition. Confirming an aortic aneurysm diagnosis will involve additional diagnostics tests, such as:
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Medical history and physical exam
Medical history and physical exam
If you have any signs of an aortic aneurysm, your doctor will start by asking you questions about your medical and family history and completing a physical exam.
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Imaging and ultrasounds
Imaging and ultrasounds
Imaging tests, such as echocardiographs, show blood flow through the heart and blood vessels.
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Electrocardiograms
Electrocardiograms
Electrocardiograms are a non-invasive test to record your heartbeat and track for rhythm frequency and changes.
Medical history and physical exam
If you have any signs of an aortic aneurysm, your doctor will start by asking you questions about your medical and family history and completing a physical exam.
Imaging and ultrasounds
Imaging tests, such as echocardiographs, show blood flow through the heart and blood vessels.
Electrocardiograms
Electrocardiograms are a non-invasive test to record your heartbeat and track for rhythm frequency and changes.
Aortic aneurysm treatment options
Your vascular specialist will recommend a treatment for your aortic aneurysm based on the following factors:
- The type of aneurysm you have
- Its size and location relative to your heart
- Your age, overall health and health history
If you do not have symptoms and your aortic aneurysm is smaller than 5 centimeters in diameter, you may only need monitoring and conservative treatments. Your provider may recommend:
- Having regular imaging exams to see if the aneurysm has grown.
- Making lifestyle changes to improve your heart health, such as getting regular exercise.
- Quitting smoking
- Taking medications to lower your blood pressure, as high blood pressure stresses the aorta’s walls.
If you have a larger aortic aneurysm, you may benefit from vascular surgery. Procedures may include:
- Elective endograft repair: A procedure where vascular surgeons place an implant (the endograft) into the aorta and expand it to allow blood to flow.
- Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): A minimally invasive procedure that allows your vascular surgeon to redirect blood away from the aneurysm using a stent.
- Open aortic aneurysm repair: A surgeon makes a large incision in your stomach to fix the bulge in the artery.
Our specialists participate in research and clinical trials around aortic aneurysm repair so you can have access to the latest treatment options to get back to living your life.
Find a location near you
We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized centers in North and Central Texas.
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - McKinney
5268 W University Dr , McKinney, TX, 75071Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - McKinney
5236 W University Dr POB I, Ste 4900, McKinney, TX, 75071- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - McKinney
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - McKinney
5236 W University Dr Ste 4100, McKinney, TX, 75071- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - McKinney
5252 W University Dr Highway 380 at Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, TX, 75071Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Rockwall
1005 W Ralph Hall Pkwy Ste 225, Rockwall, TX, 75032Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Rockwall
6705 Heritage Pkwy Ste 202, Rockwall, TX, 75087- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lake Pointe
6800 Scenic Dr , Rowlett, TX, 75088Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Craig Ranch
6800 State Highway 121 , McKinney, TX, 75070Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Rowlett
7801 Lakeview Pkwy Ste 100, Rowlett, TX, 75088- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Denton Heart Group - Gainesville
201 N Interstate 35 Ste 140, Gainesville, TX, 76240- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Frisco
4461 Coit Rd Ste 101, Frisco, TX, 75035- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Centennial
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 205, Garland, TX, 75044- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 205, Garland, TX, 75044- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Forney
763 E US Hwy 80 Ste 240, Forney, TX, 75126- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Frisco
9990 Dallas Pkwy Ste 100, Frisco, TX, 75033- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants at The Star
3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 910, Frisco, TX, 75034- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Plano Preston Road
6601 Preston Rd , Plano, TX, 75024- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Plano Spring Creek Parkway
5655 W Spring Creek Pkwy Ste 155, Plano, TX, 75024- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Sunnyvale
231 S Collins Rd , Sunnyvale, TX, 75182Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano
6000 W Spring Creek Pkwy Ste 220, Plano, TX, 75024- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Plano
1820 Preston Park Blvd Ste 1450, Plano, TX, 75093- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Mesquite
1575 Interstate 30 , Mesquite, TX, 75150- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Plano
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Mesquite
5308 N Galloway Ave Ste 201, Mesquite, TX, 75150- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano II
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 340, Plano, TX, 75093- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 340, Plano, TX, 75093- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Global Heart Health Center
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 300, Plano, TX, 75093Heart Rhythm Center
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 300, Plano, TX, 75093Baylor Scott & White The Heart Recovery Center - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 350, Plano, TX, 75093- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thoracic Aortic Disease Center
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 300, Plano, TX, 75093- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Genetics Center
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 350, Plano, TX, 75093Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano
4700 Alliance Blvd , Plano, TX, 75093Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Park Cities
9101 N Central Expy Ste 300C, Dallas, TX, 75231- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Denton Heart Group
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Denton
2801 S Mayhill Rd , Denton, TX, 76208Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Cardiovascular Clinic - Denton
3341 Unicorn Lake Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health
3500 Gaston Ave , Dallas, TX, 75246Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm