Living With an Aortic Aneurysm

This Vascular Disease, a Potentially Fatal Condition, Can be Treated

May 4, 2008 Laurence O'Sullivan

An abdominal aortic aneurysm or a thoracic aortic aneurysm can be a potentially fatal condition. A healthy lifestyle and proper medical treatment controls the condition.

Many people live with an aortic aneurysm; unfortunately the majority of those people are totally unaware of this potentially fatal condition. For a lot of people the first indication that they have an aortic aneurysm is when it ruptures. According to statistics from the Surgeon General's Office, survival rates for ruptured aortic aneurysms can be as low as 25%, depending on how quickly the patient can get to a medical facility.

The American Family Physician, Vol. 56, 1997 estimates that up to 7% of people over 60 in the United States suffer from an aortic aneurysm, while the National Vital Statistics report of September 2006 estimates that there are over 15,000 deaths per year in the United States due to aortic aneurysms.

Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms

Aortic aneurysms tend not to have symptoms and most aneurysms are discovered by chance during tests, especially X-Rays and Ultra Sound scans, carried out for other reasons. Symptoms can occur if the aneurysm is very large and pressing on other organs of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, as the aneurysm enlarges there may be a pulsating sensation near the navel and tenderness or pain in the abdomen or chest.

Types of Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a vascular disease caused by a bulge in a section of the aorta, the body’s main artery. The aorta carries blood from the heart to other major organs of the body and is normally about 2 cm in diameter. An aneurysm that occurs in the abdominal area is called an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and they constitute the majority of aortic aneurysms. A swelling in the Aorta above the heart is termed a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. The US National Library of Medicine defines an aortic aneurysm as “any swelling of the Aorta that is over 3cm.”

Causes of Aortic Aneurysm

According to the Mayo Clinic the exact cause of an aortic aneurysm is unknown but the main risk factors are high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. These can cause the wall of the aorta to weaken and swell, forming an aneurysm. Genetic factors and being male also increase the risk of developing aortic aneurysms.

Aortic Aneurysm Treatment

The American Heart Foundation advises that for aortic aneurysms less than 5.5cms in diameter a “watch and wait” regime is the best possible treatment. People with small and slow growing aneurysms should have regular ultrasound scans to monitor the rate of growth. Medical treatment usually consists of drugs to control cholesterol and high blood pressure.

For aneurysms greater than 5.5 centimeters or very fast growing ones, aortic aneurysm surgery may be undertaken, especially for thoracic aortic aneurysm; or for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the less invasive “stent grafting" may be recommended.

Living With an Aortic Aneurysm

The revelation that a person has an aortic aneurysm can be very distressing, but it is much better to know so that the condition can be monitored and lifestyle changes can be made. Outside of any medication prescribed by a doctor, a person can ensure a healthy lifestyle that will slow the rate of growth of the aneurysm.

Obviously smoking and excessive alcohol must be curtailed. A moderate exercise regime can cut down on cholesterol and strengthen the aorta and other arteries of the body. The Mayo Clinic discourages the use of excessive weight lifting as an exercise in the treatment of aortic aneurysms. A good low cholesterol diet is also recommended. Regular ultrasound scans will ensure that the rate of growth is monitored and will allow both the patient and the medical personnel to plan for any surgical procedure that may be called for.

The copyright of the article Living With an Aortic Aneurysm in General Medicine is owned by Laurence O'Sullivan. Permission to republish Living With an Aortic Aneurysm in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Aug 29, 2008 6:42 AM

Guest :

Define excessive weight lifting please

Feb 12, 2009 4:23 PM

Guest :

My boyfriend was living with a Brain Aneurysm and didn't know it. He was 41, when it ruptured. The medical examiner said it was treatable. Are there any symptoms? He suffered for years with headaches. Recently before his passing he fell off a 13 foot ladder because of dizziness. It's too bad that he didn't receive a ultra scan, it could have been caught and he would be here today.

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