Living with Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm
A bulge in the main blood vessel in the belly that can run in families, most often in men aged 50 to 80.
Understanding Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm
It can occur at any age but is most common in men between 50 and 80. Many people have no symptoms. Some feel a pulsing in the belly or have back pain. If the aneurysm tears, it can cause deep, severe pain, nausea, vomiting, a fast heartbeat, and clammy skin. It has genetic and environmental risk factors.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary describes:
- Often no symptoms
- A pulsing feeling in the belly
- Back pain
- Severe, deep pain if the aneurysm tears
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fast heartbeat
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
The Marfan Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: The Marfan Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with The Marfan Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in genes and environmental factors can raise the risk. It may sometimes occur as part of an inherited syndrome. GARD does not name a specific gene.
Also known as: aneurysm, abdominal aortic; aortic aneurysm, familial abdominal; hereditary abdominal aortic aneurysm
Patient organizations
- The Marfan FoundationFamilial abdominal aortic aneurysm · United States
- The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic HealthFamilial abdominal aortic aneurysm · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Explore research for Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm
Explore actively recruiting Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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