An aneurysm occurs when a weakened part of a blood vessel expands like a balloon. An aneurysm in the main blood vessel in your stomach area is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
The aorta is the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. With AAA, part of the aorta weakens and expands. If an aneurysm gets large enough, it may burst. This can be very serious, even fatal.
How is an aneurysm detected? AAA usually causes no symptoms. It is often found when tests (such as an X-ray, MRI or CT scan) are done for an unrelated problem. Or your doctor may find it while feeling your stomach during a routine exam.
Who is at risk for AAA? The following are risk factors for developing AAA:
What treatments are available? An aneurysm may be removed surgically or treated with a
minimally invasive procedure. Your doctor will weigh the chances that the aneurysm will burst against the risks of treatment. Because a small aneurysm is not likely to burst, it may be monitored for a while. If it reaches a certain size, you may have the procedure to treat that section of your aorta.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Fast Facts
What is it? A weakened part of the main blood vessel in the stomach that has ballooned
What are the symptoms? Usually none
How is it treated? Monitoring and/or
Surgery 
