When a weak area of the abdominal aorta expands or bulges, it is called an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). The pressure from blood flowing through the abdominal aorta can cause a weakened part of the aorta to bulge, much like a balloon.

A normal aorta is about 1 inch (or about 2 centimetres) in diameter. However, an AAA can stretch the aorta beyond its safety margin as it expands.

An AAA can cause another serious health problem called embolization. Clots or debris can form inside the aneurysm and travel to blood vessels leading to other organs in your body. If one of these blood vessels becomes blocked, it can cause severe pain or even more serious problems, such as limb loss.