The aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body. It takes blood to the different parts of the body, much like a main road and through its various exits gives good blood to the different parts of the body. Sometimes this main road (aorta), especially in the lower part of the belly can become big like a balloon – an abdominal aortic aneurysm. As this balloon becomes bigger it is at risk of popping. When it does burst (rupture) it can cause sudden death – entirely preventable if diagnosed in time – through screening (Vascular.ae – Educational Brochures). In the United States each year about 200,000 patients are diagnosed with this condition. Not everyone needs to be operated on these and the treatments are increasingly minimally invasive with stents. Vascular.ae – Vascular conditions