Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge that shows up in the wall of the major blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart and to the body. They can occur anywhere in the aorta and can have various shapes and sizes. This can lead to aortic dissection and increase a patient’s risk of aortic burst.

Risk Factors for Aortic Aneurysm

Certain things can put a person more at risk to suffer an aortic aneurysm. Just because a person suffers from these health problems or symptoms doesn’t mean they have or will have an aortic aneurysm, but it means their risk for one is higher. Those risk factors include:

  • Diabetes
  • Blood pressure issues
  • Male sex
  • Smoking
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Family history of aortic aneurysm
  • Hardening of the arteries

Causes of Aortic Aneurysm

The cause of aortic aneurysms is caused by a thinning of the aortic wall. The weakness may be caused by an injury, or the patient may be born with it. Certain things can also contribute to the weakness of the aortic wall and these include:

Symptoms of Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic aneurysms have not symptoms until they become very large and rupture. In fact, when aortic aneurysms are found before they rupture; it is usually an accident and during a regular medical exam. Some of the common symptoms of a large or ruptures aortic aneurysm include:

  • Pressure in chest and back
  • Chest pain
  • Fast heart rate
  • Dizziness
  • Rapid breathing
  • Feeling of fullness after small meals

 

Diagnosis of Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic aneurysms are usually only diagnosed after they have ruptured or become severe. Sometimes they are found while doctors are testing patients for other health problems. They will consider the patients symptoms, and if they are concerned that the person may have an aortic aneurysm, they will do tests to confirm the diagnosis. Some common diagnostic tests include:

  • Ultrasound
  • X-ray
  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • Aortography

 

Treatment of Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate medical care. If an aneurysm is caught before it bursts, surgery may be able to correct the problem. Once a patient has had one aortic aneurysm, they are at risk for more. Patients are monitored by doctors in case another occurs.

If an aortic aneurysm has already burst, doctors will work to stop the bleeding and leaking with emergency surgery. If the surgery is successful, patients will stay in the hospital where they will be monitored and may receive various medications to help prevent future aneurysms.

Prognosis of Aortic Aneurysm

If an aortic aneurysm is treated properly, the patient should recover well. They may be asked to make some lifestyle changes and will continue to be monitored by a doctor. If the problem occurs in a person who is ill for other reasons or is an elderly, recovery can take much longer. If not treated, an aortic aneurysm can be deadly if it ruptures.

Complications of Aortic Aneurysm

There are complications associated with an aortic aneurysm. Some of them are serious and can even be fatal. Some of the most common complications include:

  • Blood clots
  • Internal bleed
  • Circulatory shock

This post was last modified on July 21, 2023 11:35 am

Recent Posts

Mental Wellness: Steps to Take to Thrive in Today’s World

In an era where the pace of life seems to be constantly accelerating, safeguarding our mental wellness has never been… Read More

1 day ago

What is Chest Physiotherapy?

When you are healthy, and your lungs are clear, it becomes easy to breathe. Occasionally, you feel like coughing, which… Read More

1 day ago

Exploring Vaping as a Smoking Cessation Tool – Insights and Approaches

As Sweden continues to advance its public health initiatives, the debate around smoking cessation methods, including vaping, gains prominence. This… Read More

1 day ago

7 Pieces of Practical Advice for Opening Your Private Healthcare Practice

Starting a private practice is very exciting and quite terrifying all at once. It takes a lot of hard work… Read More

1 day ago

How Digital Marketing Grows Your Orthopedic Practice

For the orthopedic practice to flourish in the highly competitive healthcare market of today, it is not enough to have… Read More

1 day ago

Your Child’s Dental Champion: Finding A Trusted Pediatric Dentist

Providing good oral hygiene for your child plays an important role in their health development. Healthy teeth and gums, which… Read More

1 day ago

Considering Your Choices For A Planned Or Unplanned Pregnancy

The news of pregnancy is often a rollercoaster of emotions an invigorating affirmation of plans, an echo of fate, or… Read More

1 day ago

6 Ways Spirituality Influences Your Personal and Professional Life

Exploring the intricate and often kaleidoscopic world of spirituality is akin to stepping into an artist's workshop, where the canvas… Read More

2 days ago

Discovering Affordable and High-Quality Dental Care

Searching for the right dental care that balances affordability with quality can seem challenging. Whether you need routine cleanings, urgent… Read More

3 days ago

5 Ways to Save Money on Prescription Drugs

A lot of people need prescription meds almost every day, and a good portion of them are even life-saving enough… Read More

7 days ago