Aortic aneurysms are far less common than heart attacks, but they are also far more fatal. Aortic aneurysms have been called the silent killer because more than 80 percent of aneurysms produce no symptoms until they rupture.

An aneurysm is a protrusion in the wall of a blood vessel that results from a weakened section in the artery. Aneurysms can form in any artery, anywhere in your body. However, most aneurysms occur in the aorta - the body's largest artery, which travels from your heart down the center of your chest and abdomen, eventually splitting off into two arteries, one that serves each leg.

Aortic aneurysms often enlarge slowly and without symptoms, making them difficult to detect. The risk of rupture increases with size and high blood pressure. Approximately 50 percent of aneurysms will remain stable in size while the remaining 50 percent will steadily grow and become life-threatening. When an aneurysm ruptures, it does so very quickly and without warning. A ruptured aneurysm is very serious and life-threatening.

Finding aneurysms early and repairing them, can cut the death rate by one-sixth. An aortic aneurysm that ruptures causes internal bleeding and is often fatal. While it is possible to repair a ruptured aortic aneurysm, most people will die before they reach the hospital. In fact, more than 25,000 Americans die of an aortic aneurysm each year.