Did Rajinikanth undergo surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm? Find out what it is

New Delhi: Veteran actor Rajinikanth was admitted to Chennai’s Apollo Hospital on Monday with severe abdominal pain. Following this, the 73-year-old also underwent an elective procedure and according to PTI, the actor is now stable. A few years ago, the actor was admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad after complaining of fatigue and severe hypertension. The actor also underwent a kidney transplant. A recent update on his Health revealed that he has had a stent placed in his lower abdomen and will be discharged from the hospital in 2-3 days. Rajinikanth is suspected to be suffering from Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) for which he had a stent implanted in his lower abdomen.

What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

In an interaction with Tirupati TimesLive, Dr. Shrey Kumar Srivastav, Senior Consultant, Sarada Hospital explained what the condition is, its causes and symptoms as well.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a medical emergency in which the lower part of the aorta, the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body, swells or widens. This section of the aorta passes through the abdomen. When the aortic wall weakens, it leads to a ballooning effect, resulting in the formation of an aneurysm.

What are the causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Common causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

1. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
2. high blood pressure
3. smoking
4. Genetic factors
5. age 65)
6. male gender

What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Common symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that patients should watch for include:

1. Deep, constant abdominal pain
2. Lower back pain, possibly radiating to the legs or buttocks
3. Pulsating sensation near navel
4. Sudden, severe abdominal or back pain (if hernia occurs)

If the aneurysm grows large and ruptures, it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. It can be prevented by:

1. Quit smoking
2. Manage blood pressure
3. Maintain a healthy diet
4. Exercise regularly
5. Monitor cholesterol levels
6. Control blood sugar
7. Get regular screening (for at-risk populations)

For treatment, small aneurysms can be monitored, while larger or symptomatic ones may require surgical repair through open surgery or a less invasive endovascular procedure.