General measures
- Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use).
- Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day).
- Moderate physical activity has a preventive effect on the progression (progression) of atherosclerotic (arteriosclerosis-related) aneurysms.
- Competitive sports should be refrained from (from an aortic diameter > 4 cm!).
- Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
Regular check-ups
Recommendation: surveillance (monitoring) of small abdominal aneurysms (AAA) [according to S3 guideline]: surveillance intervals of small asymptomatic AAA in men (evidence level 2a/recommendation level A):
- Every 2 years for AAAs with a diameter of 3.0-3.9 cm
- 1 time per year for AAA with a diameter 4.0 to 4.9 cm,
- Every 6 months for AAA with a diameter of 5.0-5.4 cm. .
Recommendation: surveillance intervals of small asymptomatic AAA in women:
- Every 2 to 3 years for AAAs with a diameter of 3.0-3.9 cm.
- Every 6 months for AAA with a diameter of 4.0-4.5 cm* .
- Every 3 months for AAA with a diameter of > 4.5-4.9 cm* .
* In case of size constancy, the interval may be extended. (Evidence level 3b/Recommendation level B).
