Overview
Aortic aneurysm is a condition where there is a bulge or ballooning in the wall of the body's main artery, called the aorta. The aorta carries blood from the heart to the body. Aortic aneurysms can occur in different parts of the aorta, including the abdominal and thoracic areas. They can be life-threatening if they rupture or cause a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall, known as aortic dissection. Treatment options may vary from regular health checkups to emergency surgery, depending on the size, growth rate, and cause of the aneurysm. Types of aortic aneurysms include abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of aortic aneurysm can vary depending on the location of the aneurysm. For thoracic aortic aneurysms, symptoms may include back pain, cough, weak or scratchy voice, shortness of breath, and tenderness or pain in the chest. If the aneurysm ruptures or dissected, symptoms may include sharp, sudden pain in the upper back that spreads downward, pain in the chest, jaw, neck or arms, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and shortness of breath. For abdominal aortic aneurysms, symptoms may include deep, constant pain in the belly area or side of the belly, back pain, and a pulse near the bellybutton. If the aneurysm ruptures, symptoms may include sudden, intense and persistent belly or back pain, low blood pressure, fast pulse, and blocked blood vessels elsewhere in the body. It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing aortic aneurysms include:
- Tobacco use: Smoking and using tobacco greatly increases the risk of aortic aneurysms.
- High blood pressure: Increased blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the body, raising the risk of an aneurysm.
- Buildup of plaques in the arteries: The buildup of fat and other substances in the blood can damage the lining of a blood vessel, increasing the risk of an aneurysm, especially in older people.
- Family history: Having a parent, brother, sister, or child with an aortic aneurysm increases the risk of an aortic aneurysm and rupture.
- Genetic conditions: If you have Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, you have a significantly higher risk of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
- Traumatic injury: Rarely, some people who are injured in falls or motor vehicle crashes develop thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Development
Aortic aneurysms can develop due to a variety of factors, including:
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis): Plaque buildup on artery walls causes them to become less flexible, which can lead to weakening and widening. High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which is more common in older people.
- Genetic conditions: Aortic aneurysms in younger people often have a genetic cause. Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition affecting the connective tissue, may cause weakness in the aorta's wall. Other genetic conditions linked to aortic aneurysm and dissection include vascular Ehlers-Danlos, Loeys-Dietz, and Turner syndromes.
- Traumatic injury: In rare cases, people injured in falls or motor vehicle crashes may develop thoracic aortic aneurysms. Aortic aneurysms can occur in two main locations: abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta passing through the belly area, while thoracic aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta passing through the chest cavity. It is important to treat an aortic aneurysm to prevent aortic dissection, which is a potentially life-threatening emergency. Risk factors for thoracic aortic aneurysms include age, tobacco use, blood vessel inflammation, an irregular aortic valve, untreated infection, and traumatic injury.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
If you suspect you may have an aortic aneurysm, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms that may indicate the presence of an aortic aneurysm include deep, constant pain in the belly area or side of the belly, back pain, a pulse near the bellybutton (in case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm), or back pain, cough, weak, scratchy voice, shortness of breath, tenderness or pain in the chest (in case of a thoracic aortic aneurysm). If you experience any of these symptoms or have a family history of aortic aneurysms, particularly if you're considering pregnancy, genetic testing may be recommended by a healthcare provider. An aortic aneurysm can be dangerous if it ruptures or causes a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, so early detection and monitoring are crucial.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Complications of aortic aneurysm include rupture, tears in the wall of the aorta, internal bleeding, blood clots, stroke, and blocked blood vessels. Rupture can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding, and aortic aneurysms can also increase the risk of developing blood clots. Symptoms of a ruptured aortic aneurysm can include sudden, intense and persistent belly or back pain, low blood pressure, and fast pulse. Prevention methods for aortic aneurysms include quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular medical checkups.
Prevention
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and following a healthy diet can help lower the risk of complications associated with aneurysms, including aortic aneurysms.
Home Remedies
It's important to note that aortic aneurysms are serious medical conditions that require proper medical attention and treatment. Lifestyle modifications, such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly, may help in preventing or slowing down the progression of an aortic aneurysm, but they do not serve as home remedies for treating an existing aneurysm. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation and management of an aortic aneurysm.
Treatment
There are two main types of aortic aneurysms: abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracic aortic aneurysms. Treatment for each type can vary depending on the cause, size, and growth rate of the aneurysm. Here are the general treatment options for both types:
- Regular health checkups: For small, stable aneurysms without symptoms, regular health checkups and imaging tests may be enough to monitor the condition.
- Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent aneurysms and lower the risk of complications. This includes not smoking, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.
- Medications: Medications may be prescribed to manage conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can contribute to the development of aneurysms. Proper management of these conditions can lower the risk of complications.
- Surgical repair: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the affected section of the aorta. This can involve open surgery or minimally invasive endovascular repair. The specific type of surgery depends on the size, location, and growth rate of the aneurysm. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations based on individual circumstances.