This study examined the rate of abdominal aortic aneurysm in men with coronary heart disease.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative disease (meaning it progressively deteriorates organs and tissues) which causes unnatural dilation (widening) of the abdominal aorta (the largest artery in the abdomen).

The incidence of AAA is higher among men with coronary heart disease (CHD, 14%) compared to men without (3%). The disease itself usually shows no symptoms until rupture of the AAA. The survival rate of such a rupture is just 20%. It may be beneficial to screen all men with CHD for AAA.

The current study examined the rate of undetected AAA in men with CHD. This study included 438 CHD patients. Each patient underwent an ultrasound (an imaging method that uses sound waves to visualize inside the body) of the abdominal aorta. The average screening time was 5 minutes.

25 patients had undetected AAAs. Of these 25 patients, 84% were smokers. Smoking at any point in the patient’s life led to 3 times the risk of AAA compared to those who never smoked. Previous heart attack led to a 2.9 times increased risk. Those with a family history of AAA had 8 times the risk compared to those without a family history.

This study concluded that screening male patients with coronary heart disease for abdominal aortic aneurysm may be beneficial.

Discuss with your physician whether screening for AAA may be beneficial, particularly if you have any of the risk factors.