An aortic aneurysm is a bulging weakness in the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. The aorta runs from the heart to the center for the chest and abdomen and is the body's main supplier of blood. Aneurysms are dangerous because they can rupture, causing a life-threatening hemorrhage of blood. Many aortic aneurysms occur without symptoms, making them more difficult to detect.
Time Frame
Aneurysms often grow slowly. Some start small and never grow at all. When a person first develops an aneurysm, it is unlikely that he will experience symptoms. As the aneurysm grows, people may begin to notice mild signs of an aortic aneurysm.
Symptoms
Aneurysms may occur anywhere along the aorta, but the most common place is the abdomen, known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. People may begin to notice some symptoms as the aneurysm grows, such as a pulsating feeling near the navel if this is an abdominal aortic aneurysm, tenderness or pain in the abdomen or chest, and back pain.
Signs and symptoms of a ruptured aortic aneurysm include sudden, intense pain in the abdomen, chest or back, pain that radiates to the back of the legs, sweatiness, clamminess, dizziness, fast pulse, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness and shortness of breath. A ruptured aorta is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention.
Risk Factors
MayoClinic.com explains that men are five to 10 times more likely to develop an aneurysm then women are. People older than 60 have an increased risk of developing an aortic aneurysm. Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and a diet high in fats can also increase the likelihood of developing an aneurysm. People with diseases that damage the blood vessels such as high blood pressure or atherosclerosis are at increased risk as well.
Warnings
A ruptured aneurysm can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. People who experience symptoms of an aneurysm or who have several risk factors should talk to their physicians about potential screenings. People with aortic aneurysms are also at increased risk for blood clots. A blood clot that breaks loose can lead to stroke, pulmonary embolism or myocardial infarction.
Treatments
After a person is diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, they will often discuss their treatment options with their physician. A physician may decide not to treat small aneurysms that present little to no risk of rupture. If a physician feels that there is a possibility that the aneurysm could rupture, surgical repair is often the best option, according to MayoClinic.com.
