Atherosclerosis can also occur in the abdominal aorta, the artery which leads from your heart down to the arteries that branch out to your kidneys and legs. Aortic aneurysms are caused by weakening of the artery walls due to atherosclerosis. The weakened walls balloon out, forming an aneurysm.

When blood pumps from the heart through the aorta, it places pressure on the aneurysm walls. Over time, the aneurysm can get bigger and bigger, until eventually it may rupture. A ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency. Victims are in severe pain, feel faint and usually lose consciousness due to blood loss. Emergency surgery is needed or the victim will almost certainly die.

Baptist Hospital East is a pioneer in the treatment of vascular disease. For more information, call the hospital's information center at (502) 897-8131. 

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