Aortic Aneurysm: Everything You Need To Know

The aorta is the main artery in your circulatory system, responsible for taking blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It plays an important function and is built to be sturdy and durable. However, occasionally a condition known as an aortic aneurysm can cause its walls to weaken and grow, which can lead to a leak that lets blood into your body and can eventually rupture which is an emergency. An aortic aneurysm can cause complications including heart attacks, renal damage, stroke, and even death by diverting blood flow away from your organs and tissues.

What is it?

Aortic aneurysms can develop in two different locations:

• Thoracic aneurysm, which is located in the chest
• Abdominal aneurysm, which is placed in the abdomen.

Based on where they are on the aorta, aneurysms can be categorized as thoracic, abdominal, or thoracoabdominal. The aorta can be affected by birth defects such as the thoracic aortic aneurysm, bicuspid aortic valve, Marfan syndrome, and Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and genes can alter your risk of developing an aortic aneurysm in your chest.

Aortic Aneurysm FAQs

Can an aortic aneurysm be survived?

Yes, it is possible to live with an aortic aneurysm. There are numerous strategies to avoid rupture or dissection  such as controlling blood pressure, maintenance medications, quitting smoking, and taking statins. Some aortic aneurysms, such as those caused by bicuspid aortic valves, infections, or inflammatory diseases, are inherited or congenital.

Who is most susceptible to developing an aortic aneurysm?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in men and in adults 65 and older. They are also more common in Caucasians than in African people. They are typically brought on by atherosclerosis (hardened arteries). However, they can also be brought on by infection or trauma.

How long can you have an aortic aneurysm before it ruptures?

According to estimates, 3 to 6 men out of every 100 who have abdominal aortic aneurysms larger than 5.5 cm in diameter will experience a rupture within a year. Best to consult your doctor regarding treatment and prognosis.

How long after aortic aneurysm surgery do you live?

A study found that patients who underwent surgery to treat a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm had improved short-term crude, or actual, survival rates. The relative survival rate remained stable at around 87 percent. On average, patients who underwent repair for a ruptured aneurysm lived 5.4 years after surgery [1].

When you have an aortic aneurysm, what should you avoid doing?

Before we discuss what can be done to avoid aortic aneurysm (AAA), we have to first mention the importance of screening as it is cost effective to screen Abdominal aortic aneurysm in men 65-74 y/o with risk factors such as smoking, family history, history of other aneurysms, atherosclerosis, hypertension.

The US PSTF (Preventive Service Task Force)  recommends a one time ultrasound screening for AAAs in men 65-75 w/ a history of smoking. SVS recommends one time screening for AAAs in all men and women 65 and older with a. history of tobacco use / family history of AAA.

• Don’t move anything over 30 pounds by pushing, pulling, bearing down, or lifting (or 10 pounds for patients recovering from surgery).
• Don’t get your body pierced or tattooed.
• Don’t smoke (or be exposed to secondhand smoke) or use any other tobacco products.
• Don’t use a sledgehammer or snow blower, or dig into the ground, cut wood, or shovel snow.
• Don’t ingest illegal drugs.

The clinical manifestations of aortic aneurysm include persistent chest or back pain. Most are discovered incidentally. Diagnosis includes chest radiography, 2D echocardiogram to assess blood vessels, contrast enhanced CT and MRA

Key Takeaways

Get checked for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) if you are over 50, especially if you are a man. You can’t avoid all of the risk factors for an aneurysm, but eating well, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding some triggers will help reduce the risks. It’s common for AAA patients to have no symptoms, so regular checkups with your doctor are recommended. It may spell the difference between a simple surgical procedure and a life-threatening situation.

Learn more about Heart Health here.