Patient Resources · Cardiovascular Health

A Simple Ultrasound Could Save Your Life

Each year, 20,000 people in Canada are diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm — most without any warning signs. Early screening changes everything.

20,000 people in Canada are diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm each year.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is when a part of the large artery in the abdomen weakens and bulges. Many people with an AAA do not have symptoms, so it is possible to have an AAA without knowing it.

In fact, many AAAs are found only during routine check-ups or when they burst and cause problems like internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.

The Importance of Finding an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Early

An abdominal ultrasound is all it takes to check for an AAA. This test could help find an aneurysm early and:

Prevent life-threatening bursts
Reduce AAA-related deaths
Allow for safer treatment options, like less invasive surgery

Understanding the Anatomy

Know Your Aorta

What is an Aorta?

The aorta is the biggest blood vessel in the body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta starts at the top of the heart, travels up, and then goes down through the chest and into the abdomen. From there, the aorta branches out to supply blood to the legs and other organs.

What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm is a weakening spot in the wall of the aorta, which is the biggest blood vessel in the body. The weakness can cause the aorta to stretch or bulge, creating an aneurysm. Over time, the aneurysms can grow and could eventually burst. A burst aneurysm is a medical emergency because it causes severe internal bleeding and can be life-threatening.

Most AAAs grow slowly without symptoms. However, in some cases, people may notice a throbbing sensation in the abdomen, back pain, or other discomfort if the aneurysm becomes large. Because AAAs often have no symptoms, it is important for people at higher risk (such as men aged 65 and older, or those with high blood pressure) to have an abdominal ultrasound.

Getting checked for an AAA through the Ontario Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program helps people understand more about AAAs, offers regular monitoring for people who have smaller aneurysms, and makes treatment recommendations for people who have larger or quickly growing aneurysms.

Learn more about cardiovascular care

When Should I Get Checked?

In Ontario, everyone age 65 and older is encouraged to get checked for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). People in this age group have the highest chance of getting AAAs, but finding AAAs early through an abdominal ultrasound can mean treatment has a better chance of working.

If you are age 65 or older and have not been offered an abdominal ultrasound, you can ask your primary care provider for one.

Screening Eligibility

In Ontario, everyone age 65 and older is encouraged to get checked for AAA.

How Do I Get Checked?

Make an appointment with your primary care provider and ask them to send you for an abdominal ultrasound to check for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

You can also simply email me directly, at mvarenbut@toxpro.ca to request a requisition for the ultrasound. I would then send the referral to the diagnostic imaging centre, and they will contact you to schedule the appointment. Once I receive the report, I will call you back personally, to discuss the results.

There is no cost to you for this potentially life-saving screening test, and I would strongly recommend that you take advantage of the Screening ASAP.

Yours in great health,

Michael Varenbut MD, CCFP, FCFP