It’s the body’s largest artery, carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Your aorta is about an inch in diameter, just about the size of a garden hose. The section of the aorta that extends from your diaphragm through your abdomen before splitting into the two iliac arteries is called the abdominal aortic artery.
Vascular Specialists is here to explain the importance of your abdominal aortic artery to your overall health.
Blood travels through your aorta at about 30 centimeters, about 12”, every second and moves about five to six quarts of blood each minute. That’s about 2,000 gallons each day! Your abdominal aorta provides oxygen-rich blood to all of your abdominal organs, the pelvic organs and your legs. This includes:
That’s a great deal of your body depending upon the health of your abdominal aorta!
The most common challenge to your abdominal aorta is an aneurysm (AAA), a weakening or “bubble” in the artery. For a AAA that’s larger than 7 cm, the risk of rupture is over 32%. About 80% of those ruptures will be fatal.
There are several factors that can cause a AAA. Atherosclerosis is also known as hardening of the arteries and happens when fat, plaque and dead cells build up on the line of the artery. High blood pressure can damage the walls of the artery, weakening them. Family history also places a part in the development of AAA. White men over the age of 65 are most likely to develop AAA.
Lifestyle choices are the most significant - and also preventable - causes of the development of AAA. Tobacco use is by far the strongest risk factor, whether it’s smoking, vaping or chewing. Tobacco use not only contributes to the development of AAA, it increases the risk of a life-threatening rupture.
AAA screenings are covered by Medicare when you are at risk. AAA screening is a painless, non-invasive ultrasound, and you can drive yourself to and from our office. Please ask your primary care physician for a referral before calling our office to schedule. You are considered at risk of a AAA when:
If you have questions about the health of your aorta or would like to set up an appointment for your screening, call our office at 815-824-4406 or click here. Your Vascular Specialists providers are happy to help.
