Is Abdominal aortic aneurysm serious?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
**Yes, an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be serious because it can rupture and cause life-threatening internal bleeding.** If you have an aneurysm, your risk depends on its size, how quickly it grows, and whether it causes symptoms. A small aneurysm without symptoms often needs regular ultrasound monitoring rather than immediate surgery. Your clinician may recommend repair if it is large, growing quickly, or causing pain. Keeping your scans, quitting smoking, and taking prescribed blood pressure medicines help you manage your health.
What to do
- **Keep your scans:** Follow your clinician's ultrasound schedule even when you feel well.
- **Discuss your results:** Ask your clinician how your aneurysm's size and growth affect whether you need repair.
- **Quit smoking:** If you smoke, ask your clinician for support and treatment to help you stop.
- **Manage blood pressure:** Take your prescribed medicines and follow your clinician's blood pressure plan.
- **Recognize an emergency:** Call 911 for sudden, severe belly or back pain, especially with fainting or clammy skin.
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