Word parts
What it means
A widening of a blood vessel where its wall has thinned. Common places are the aortaay-OR-tuhThe body's largest artery, which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart's left ventricle to the rest of the body.Full entry in the belly (abdominal aortic aneurysm) or chest, and arteries at the base of the brain. Many cause no symptoms until they leak or burst, which can cause severe bleeding. High blood pressure, smoking and atherosclerosis raise the risk.
For the nurse
Keep blood pressure in the ordered range. Report sudden severe back, belly or chest pain, or a sudden "worst headache of my life," and falling blood pressure, at once. Do not press hard on a pulsing belly mass.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | aneurisma |
| Also written | aneurysms, aneurysmal |
Related terms
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
artery
A blood vessel that takes blood from the heart out to the body.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.
aorta
The body's largest artery, which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart's left ventricle to the rest of the body.