Controlling hypertension is central to preventing or managing many conditions including chronic kidney disease, heart disease and various occular disorders such as hypertensive retinopathy. This gets to be more of a problem as people age because blood pressure naturally increases with age. The risk of abdominal aneurysm follows the same pattern, which is unfortunate because hypertension is can aggravate this condition.
Definitions
An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel becomes so weak that it balloons out or develops a pocket. If this happens in the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen, it is called an abdominal aneurysm or an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm that develops a pocket or pouch is called a dissecting abdominal aneurysm.
Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure.
Dangers
Hypertension is particularly dangerous for patients with aneurysms because the constant vascular pressure can further weaken the blood vessel. If this is left uncontrolled, the aneurysm can rupture or burst open. If this happens, death follows in a matter of minutes. According to a 2005 paper published in "The Lancet," abdominal aortic aneurysms "cause one to three percent of all deaths among men aged 65-85 years in developed countries."
Treatment
According to MayoClinic.com, treatment for aneurysms ranges from watchful waiting to surgery to repair the aneurysm. Generally, surgery is reserved for large aneurysms that present an immediate risk of rupture.
Regardless whether or not surgery is an option, monitoring blood pressure and treating hypertension are paramount for aneurysm patients. Pharmacological treatments include angiotensin-converting inhibitors--also known as ACE inhibitors--angiotensin receptor blockers--also known as ARBs--and other types of blood pressure medication.
Considerations
The Cleveland Clinic reminds patients that as of 2010, Medicare will pay for an ultrasound as part of a "Welcome to Medicare" physical for men who have smoked at any time during their life. Both men and women with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms may get a free ultrasounds. This benefit must be obtained within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare.
Expert Insight
Researchers publishing a paper in a 2002 issue of "The British Journal of Surgery" reported on a community-based study involving 5,356 men and women between the ages of 65 and 79. The results of this study showed that current hypertension increased the risk of abdominal aneurysm by 30 to 40 percent. According to this study, men were nearly six times more likely to develop an abdominal aneurysm than women. The risk grew progressively larger as the subjects aged.
