An aortic aneurysm is any swelling of the aorta, usually due to a thinning wall. The condition is not always severe, but rupture is a risk. Learn more about aortic aneurysms in this video.
Do not smoke
Control your blood pressure
Follow up regularly with your doctor
Visit a cardiologist
Dr. Dave Weiland has been practicing cardiology in the Bay Area for 21 years. On top of operating a practive in San Pablo, CA for the past 15 years, Dr. Weiland works with eight other doctors in traveling all around the Bay Area to treat patients everywhere. Dr. Weiland graduated from the Ohio State Medical School in 1981; following that with an additional six years of study at Tufts University. Dr. Weiland received his training in cardiology at the New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and now teaches medical students about cardiology.
DR. DAVE WEILAND: Aortic aneurysm involves a ballooning of the aorta. The aorta is the main artery of the body that goes from the heart, all the way down into the legs. When we think of aortic aneurysm, we generally think of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is the portion of the aorta in the belly. However, you could also have aortic aneurysm in the portion of the aorta in the chest, which is less common. Symptoms of the aortic aneurysm generally are from the symptoms of the abdominal aortic aneurysm type, and it can often include a pain in the abdominal aorta. However, an abdominal aortic aneurysm can become quite large before any symptoms develop. In any patient who is at risk for atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, or has a family history of aneurysm, an echocardiogram or an ultrasound should be performed of the abdominal aorta. This will often give us an idea of how large the abdominal aorta is and whether there is truly an aneurysm forming. The one thing we do know is as aneurysms get larger, there is an increased risk of the aneurysm actually bursting. And if an aneurysm bursts, even if the patient is already in the hospital, there is a very high risk of that patient dying, and that's why we like to find out about these before they burst. It is generally known that once aneurysm reach the size of 5 cm the risk of bursting increases on a yearly basis. Treatment of aneurysms: Certainly, any patient with an aneurysm should have their aneurysm should have their aneurysm monitored on a regular basis with ultrasounds of the abdominal aorta. If the aneurysm is increasing in size, often the patient will have to be taken to surgery. There is one newer technique, and that involves actually placing a stent in the aneurysm that will prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. This can be done through a small incision in the groin, and does not require the larger incision that would be made if the patient would have to have a surgical closure for repair of the aneurysm. Prevention of aneurysms: Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta are most commonly seen in patients with high blood pressure and smokers. Therefore, tobacco cessation and control of blood pressure are the most important in preventing aneurysms from developing. How to take action: If one has an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or the thoracic aorta, these need to be followed on a regular basis with imaging studies which often include ultrasounds of that area. Oftentimes, CAT scans can also be very beneficial in determining the size of the aneurysm. Regular followups with the physician, and possibly a visit with a vascular surgeon or a cardiologist can be very beneficial in this disease.
