Video: Simple test can detect abdominal aortic aneurysms

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Baby boomers, listen up. There's a silent killer that you need to know about so you can make sure it won't happen to you.

We're talking about abdominal aortic aneurysms, or AAA. It can grow pain-free in a person until it ruptures and then it's often too late. Now there's a simple test that could save your life.

"Every year, I buy myself a play toy. I deserve it," said AAA patient Davic Backulich.

This year, Backulich really deserves it. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, lymphoma, then bladder cancer. Sounds bad? Tests for the cancer revealed another deadly problem.

"In a way, I say the cancer saved my life," said Backulich.

Backulich had two aneurysms. That's where a portion of an artery balloons and can eventually rupture.

"Aneurysms are increasing in incidence and they are becoming more common," said Dr. Martin Back, vascular surgery.

Back says abdominal aortic aneurysm is the 13th leading cause of death. Nine out of 10 patients who have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that ruptures die, but a AAA doesn't have to be deadly. A simple ultrasound can detect it.

"A single ultrasound, if the aorta is found to be a normal size in the abdomen, that patient will likely never develop an aneurysm," said Back.

But if the aorta is larger, doctors can check it regularly until the aneurysm grows to the point where surgery is needed. That's what happened to Douglas Bell.

"I never knew anything about them until they found the one on me. Then I got educated quick," said Bell, AAA patient.

Risk factors include being male, having high blood pressure, being over age 60 and being a smoker or former smoker. Guidelines suggest all men over age 60 and women over age 60 with risk factors have an ultrasound.

"A lot of medical care is dependent upon the patient bringing things up with their physician," said Back - because not everyone is lucky enough to find it in time like Backulich.

Men and women with a family history of AAA should get an ultrasound even earlier, at age 50. When AAAs are detected and treated early, more than 95 percent of people recover completely.