Most people have never heard of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA, until they or a loved one are diagnosed. The condition, which occurs when the body’s largest blood vessel expands or dilates, can be silent for years. When it ruptures, it can very serious and lead to death.

Although men are more likely to be diagnosed with AAA, research has shown that women with AAAs often have worse outcomes before, around the time of surgery and after surgery. To address that gap, CU Medicine vascular surgeon Dr. Meg Smith is launching the country’s first women’s AAA clinic. The clinic, offered once a month, is designed to give women the high-quality care they expect from CU Medicine providers while also focusing on their unique needs and experiences with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

We sat down with Dr. Smith to learn more about the women’s abdominal aortic aneurysm clinic and what patients can expect once they walk through the doors.

Q&A

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm and what are the signs and symptoms?

“An abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA, happens when the aorta — the body’s main blood vessel — becomes enlarged or dilates,” said Dr. Smith. “The concern is that as the aorta dilates, the risk of rupture increases, and that can be life-threatening. The tricky part is that AAAs often don’t cause symptoms. Many are discovered by chance during imaging tests done for other reasons.”

What can women do to lower their risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

“The number one thing women can do to lower their risk is not smoke,” Dr. Smith said. “Smoking is the biggest risk factor we see for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Beyond that, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control, staying active and making sure you’re up to date on regular checkups all make a difference. If you have a family history of aneurysms, it’s also important to talk with your health care provider about whether screening is right for you.”

Why focus on women with AAA?

“We’ve learned that women with abdominal aortic aneurysms tend to have worse outcomes than men. That includes before surgery, during surgery and in the long term,” Dr. Smith said. “As a female vascular surgeon, I’m especially interested in improving how we diagnose and treat women with this condition. Part of that is understanding why these differences exist and making sure women get the best possible care for the long run.”

What can women expect when coming to the clinic?

“This is the first clinic in the country dedicated specifically to women with abdominal aortic aneurysms,” Dr. Smith said. “When patients come here, they can expect not only the exceptional care that CU Medicine provides, but also a focus on treating them as whole individuals with unique needs. We’re also working to better understand what approaches truly benefit women when it comes to both diagnosis and treatment.”

When is the clinic held and how do patients get referred?

“Our women’s AAA clinic is held on the second Friday of every month,” Dr. Smith said. “Patients will see me or another female vascular surgeon on our team. To come to the clinic, you’ll need a referral from your health care provider. Female patients that get referred to us from one of our CU Medicine or UCHealth clinics will automatically be given the choice to meet during the women’s clinic day to get the care they need.”

What message do you want women to take away about paying attention to their vascular health?

“I want women to know that they are in control of their vascular heath and that in partnering with providers specifically dedicated to improving women’s health we can ensure they receive the best care while also improving the vascular health of women to come.”