The answer to the question of "how long can you live with an abdominal aortic aneurysm" depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or ballooning in the wall of the aorta, which is the main artery that carries blood away from the heart.
If the AAA is small and not causing any symptoms, it may not need to be treated and can be managed with regular monitoring. In these cases, the patient can live a relatively normal life with regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle.
However, if the AAA is large or causing symptoms, it may need to be treated. The treatment for AAA is usually either an open surgical repair, or an endovascular stent graft. The success of these treatments depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the aneurysm and the patient’s overall health. Generally speaking, if the AAA is treated, a patient can expect to live a normal lifespan.
In cases where the AAA is not treated and continues to enlarge, the patient may be at risk of aortic rupture, which is a life-threatening event. If the AAA is not treated and it reaches a size of 5.5 cm or more, the risk of rupture increases significantly. In these cases, the patient may only have a few months or years to live.
Overall, the length of time a person can live with an abdominal aortic aneurysm depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the aneurysm, the patient’s overall health, and whether or not the aneurysm is treated. In most cases, if the aneurysm is treated, the patient can expect to live a normal lifespan. However, if the aneurysm is not treated and it continues to enlarge, the patient may be at an increased risk of aortic rupture, which can be life-threatening.