Oh, sometimes we don't even show any signs, but big problems can arise inside the body, right? That's the kind of condition that develops silently, but if you're aware of it, it can be controlled. Aortic Aneurysm is a bit scary to hear, but let's talk about it simply. Then you can get a better understanding of it.
Let's first see what this 'Aorta' is?
Imagine, the largest blood vessel in our body is the 'Aorta' . It's like the main pipe that carries water from our water tank to everywhere in our house. This aorta is the one that carries clean, oxygenated blood from our heart to the entire body. It's shaped like an upward-curving cane. The part that goes up from the heart is called the 'Ascending Aorta' , and the part that goes down to the abdomen is called the 'Descending Aorta' .
So, what is this 'Aortic Aneurysm'?
Simply put, this 'Aortic Aneurysm' is when there is a weakness in the wall of our main blood vessel called the aorta, and the pressure of blood pumping through it causes that area to bulge like a balloon. It's like an old water pipe bursting. That bulge like a balloon is what we call an aneurysm. This can happen in any blood vessel, but when it occurs in the aorta, we call it an aortic aneurysm.
Are there these types of aneurysms?
Yes, there are two main types of aortic aneurysms. These two types are divided according to where they occur:
1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): This is the most common type. It develops in the lower part of our aorta, which is the part that goes to the stomach. Think of it as the part that extends downwards on a cane.
2. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA): This occurs in the upper part of the aorta, that is, in the upwardly curved 'U' shaped part in the chest area. Sometimes, in people with connective tissue diseases such as Marfan syndrome, this TAA can occur in the ascending aorta, the part of the aorta that goes up closest to the heart.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are generally more common than thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) . This may be because the wall of the aorta in our chest is slightly thicker and stronger than the wall of the aorta in our abdomen.
How common is this situation?
In fact, men are 4 to 6 times more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) than women. It affects about 1% of men between the ages of 55 and 64. However, the risk of developing it increases with age. It is said that the risk can increase by about 4% every 10 years.
Who is most at risk for this? (Risk Factors)
Your family's genetics and your lifestyle can all play a role in the development of this aortic aneurysm. This condition is most commonly seen in:
- Among smokers .
- Among those over 65 years of age.
- Among men .
- If someone in your family has had an aortic aneurysm before.
- Hypertension, that is, for people with high blood pressure .
Think about it, if any of these things apply to you, wouldn't it be good to be a little concerned about this?
What causes this?
It is often difficult to determine the exact cause of an aortic aneurysm. However, there are several factors that are thought to contribute:
- Atherosclerosis: This is the buildup of fat inside the blood vessels, narrowing them. It's like rust forming inside a water pipe.
- Inflammation of the arteries.
- Genetic conditions: Diseases that specifically affect connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome .
- Injury to the aorta: Like from some accident.
- Some infections: For example, it can be caused by a sexually transmitted disease like syphilis .
What are the symptoms of this?
Here's the important thing. Many people don't even know they have an aortic aneurysm. Because it may not cause any symptoms until it ruptures.
However, if an aneurysm bursts, it is a serious condition that requires emergency medical treatment. If you or someone you are with has symptoms that suggest an aneurysm has burst, you should go to the hospital immediately.
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm can occur suddenly:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Sudden severe chest pain, stomach pain, or back pain.
If an aortic aneurysm is found before it ruptures, it has the best chance of recovery. As the aneurysm grows, you may notice symptoms like these:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Feeling full even after eating a little.
- Feeling pain where the aneurysm is located (this could be in the neck, back, chest, or abdomen).
- Feeling pain or difficulty when swallowing.
- Swelling of the hands, neck, or face.
What complications can this cause?
If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding. Depending on where the aneurysm is located, this rupture can be very serious, even life-threatening. However, with prompt treatment, most people can recover from a ruptured aneurysm.
An enlarged aortic aneurysm can also cause a tear in the wall of the blood vessel (aortic dissection) . This tear allows blood to leak through the walls of the artery. This narrows the artery, reducing or completely blocking the flow of blood from the heart to other parts of the body. The pressure inside the artery can also increase, causing the aneurysm to rupture.
How do you diagnose this?
Because many aneurysms develop without any symptoms, doctors only discover them during a routine medical examination or a scan done for something else.
If you are at high risk for developing an aortic aneurysm, or if you have symptoms of an aneurysm, your doctor may order imaging tests , which are tests that look inside your body. Examples of these include:
- CT scan.
- CT or MRI angiography.
- Ultrasound scan.
How do you treat an unruptured aneurysm?
If you have an unruptured aortic aneurysm, that is, one that has not yet burst, your doctor will monitor you very closely. Your doctor may also recommend regular screenings if you have risk factors for developing an aneurysm.
The main goal of treatment is to prevent the aneurysm from getting bigger and causing the blood vessel to rupture or burst. For small, unruptured aneurysms , your doctor may prescribe medications to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, or control cholesterol. All of these can help slow the aneurysm's growth and reduce the pressure on the blood vessel wall.
What types of aortic aneurysm surgery are there?
Large aneurysms that are at risk of rupture or bursting may require surgery . Your doctor may use one of these surgical techniques:
1. Open aneurysm repair: In this procedure, the doctor cuts out the aneurysm, removes the weakened part, and replaces it with a special piece of tubing (graft) to repair the blood vessel. This open surgery may be necessary if an aneurysm bursts.
2. Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. That is, it is done without making a large incision. In this, the doctor uses a thin tube (catheter) and sends the artificial tube (graft) to the site of the aneurysm, strengthening or repairing the blood vessel. This procedure is also called thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) or fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) .
What can you expect after surgery?
It can take a month or more to recover from aneurysm surgery. Your doctor will continue to monitor you for changes, growth, or complications in the aneurysm. Most people have good results after surgery.
However, as with any surgery, there are some risks. Some of the complications that can occur after surgery are:
- Blood leakage around the graft. This is also called an endoleak .
- The pipe was moved from its place.
- Blood clots.
- Infection.
Can we prevent this aortic aneurysm from forming?
Yes, to some extent. Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or using tobacco products increases your risk of developing an aneurysm. You can reduce your risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle . That means:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet.
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Complete cessation of smoking and use of tobacco products.
Look, these things are not only good for aneurysms, but also for the health of our entire body, right?
What is the prognosis for someone with an aortic aneurysm?
With careful monitoring and treatment, your doctor can help you manage an aortic aneurysm. The best thing is for your medical team to find and treat an aortic aneurysm before it ruptures, if possible.
If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, you should seek immediate medical attention. Without prompt treatment, a ruptured aortic aneurysm can be fatal. Both open surgery and endovascular surgery can successfully treat a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
When should I see a doctor?
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately:
- Loss of consciousness (syncope, fainting or passing out).
- Low blood pressure.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Sudden, severe chest, stomach, or back pain.
What should I ask my doctor?
You can ask your doctor questions like these:
- Am I at risk of developing an aortic aneurysm?
- How do I know if I have an aortic aneurysm?
- What can I do to prevent an aortic aneurysm from rupturing or bursting?
- What lifestyle changes should I make to reduce my risk of aortic aneurysm?
Finally, take-home message:
Taking steps to improve your heart health can help prevent an aortic aneurysm from developing or worsening. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes you can make. If you are at risk for developing an aortic aneurysm, be sure to get regular screenings. Early detection and treatment of an aneurysm can greatly reduce the risk of rupture or other complications. Remember, awareness is the best defense!
` Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic aneurysm, Blood vessel dilation, Heart disease, AAA, TAA, Aota
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