Aortic Aneurysm

Overview

An aortic aneurysm is a severe cardiovascular disease where a bulge forms in the aorta due to weakened artery walls. This aneurysm can develop in the chest or abdomen, causing serious health risks if untreated. Timely diagnosis and treatment prevent ruptures and life-threatening complications of this condition.

What is Aortic Aneurysm?

Aortic aneurysm is a medical condition where a balloon-like bulge develops in the aorta. The trauma that develops in the aorta leads to the weakening of thick walls, pushing blood against the injured passage and causing an aneurysm. Some of the common symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, and so on. On a global scale, people out of every 1,00,000 are diagnosed with aortic aneurysm. Studies show that approximately 0.6 million Indian individuals were affected with abdominal aortic aneurysm in 2016.

Types of Aortic Aneurysm

There are two types of aortic aneurysms, each of which has different causes, risk factors and symptoms. Here are the 2 types:

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA): This condition causes a weakened area in the upper part of the aorta, which carries blood to the chest cavity. It gradually swells your blood vessel over time which ultimately increases the risk of rupture. Some common symptoms may include back pain, deep or throbbing chest pain and shortness of breath.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): A bulge occurs along the part of the aorta that carries blood from the heart to the abdomen, legs and pelvis. A person affected with this disease can experience symptoms such as pain in the belly, lower back and legs.

Symptoms of Aortic Aneurysm

One may not experience any symptoms unless the condition of the artery weakens or ruptures. Some common symptoms include the following:

• Discomfort or pain in the neck, back, jaw, chest, legs, groin, abdomen or buttocks
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Throbbing sensation around the belly area
• Bloating
• Swelling in neck, arms and head
• Wheezing

One may experience certain serious symptoms as soon as the bulged-out aorta bursts. These include:

• Faint pulse
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweaty, pale skin
• Abrupt and intense pain in the neck, abdomen, chest or back
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tingling sensation or numbness in legs and arms

Causes of Aortic Aneurysm

Aneurysms in the aorta are caused by injuries or damage that weakens the area. Hence, this occurrence results in the bulge or rupture of the weak spot as the blood gets pumped through the vessels.

Common causes of the disease may include the following:

• High blood pressure
• Damage to an aorta
• Artery inflammation
• Atherosclerosis
• Marfan syndrome
• High cholesterol
• Untreated infections like salmonella or syphilis

Risk Factors of Aortic Aneurysm

The risk factors of aortic aneurysm may include factors such as age, lifestyle, sex and more. The following points highlight the risk factors in detail:

Age: The risk of this disease increases with age. Studies show that individuals 65 years or older are often affected by thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms when compared to younger individuals.

Family History: The risk of aortic rupture or aneurysms may increase if one has a sibling, parent or child affected by this disease. Therefore, in that case, they may develop this disease at a younger age.

Sex: Men are often more likely to develop AAA than women. Recent research shows that out of 11 patients screened, 10 males were diagnosed with aortic aneurysm.

High Blood Pressure: When the pressure in your blood vessels is high, and marks a reading of 130/80 mm HG, it damages the vessels. Hypertension increases the risk of an aneurysm in your blood vessels.

Other Aneurysms in the Body: The risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms may increase if there is an aneurysm in the chest or in the artery behind the knee.

Use of Tobacco: Use of tobacco or smoking intensifies the risk of developing aortic aneurysms. It thins down blood vessel walls, including your aorta. The more one is addicted to tobacco consumption, the more they are at risk of developing an aneurysm.

Fat Buildup in the Arteries: The lining of your blood vessels can be damaged as fat or other substances accumulate in the blood. This can be threatening for older people or individuals who are obese or less physically active.

Diagnosis of Aortic Aneurysm

Upon experiencing the common symptoms of the disease, the healthcare provider may prescribe the following aortic aneurysm diagnosis tests:

MRI: Magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves are used to create detailed images of your aorta. It helps the doctor view the shape and size of the aneurysm.

CT Scan: X-rays are used to produce cross-sectional body images, that also include your aorta. This test shows the aneurysm's shape and size and helps monitor the growth of the thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound helps to examine the lower part of the body, screening for the abdominal aortic aneurysm. This imaging test uses sound waves to look through the abdomen area.

Echocardiogram: This medical test helps to see the movement of blood through the blood vessels, aorta and heart. By using sound waves, an echocardiogram screens for thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Treatment for Aortic Aneurysm

Treating the aneurysm depends on factors such as lifestyle, gender, age, and size and location of the aneurysm. Some common treatment options for this form of cardiovascular disease include:

Medications: Control blood pressure and cholesterol by taking medicines as prescribed by a healthcare provider. This may include beta blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which can slow your heart rate and decrease the force of contractions in your heart.

Lifestyle Changes: The doctor may recommend incorporating changes in lifestyle to treat small aneurysms. This may include eating healthy, exercising daily or 5 times a week, and quitting smoking.

Surgery: If the aneurysm in your aorta is large, the doctor may recommend surgery to reduce the risk of rupture.

Monitoring: While one may be taking medications or incorporating healthy lifestyle changes, the doctor keeps monitoring the aneurysm’s growth rate and size through CT scans or MRI scans.

Complications of Aortic Aneurysm

The following are the complications of this cardiovascular disease:

• Tears in the layers of aorta walls
• Aneurysm rupture
• Internal bleeding
• Infection
• Aorto-caval fistulas pseudoaneurysm
• Aorto-enteric fistula

Preventive Measures for Aortic Aneurysm

Adhering to lifestyle changes and medications reduces the risk of the condition and slows its progression. Following are some key preventive measures to follow:

Follow up with your doctor through check-ups and screenings
Regularly check cholesterol levels and blood pressure to have them in control
Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise
Keep your blood pressure under control through medication, dietary changes and exercise
Reduce the consumption of alcohol and tobacco

Myths and Facts Related to Aortic Aneurysm

Following are some common myths and facts related to aortic aneurysm:

Myth 1: Aortic aneurysm development results in visible symptoms
Fact: Aortic aneurysms often do not show any noticeable symptoms unless they rupture or burst.

Myth 2: Aortic aneurysms are only a problem with the elderly
Fact: Individuals with risk factors such as family history and smoking also develop the condition.

Myth 3: One cannot leave normally with an aortic aneurysm
Fact: With regular screening, imaging tests and preventive measures, you can live normally with the condition.

Myth 4: Only surgeries fix aortic aneurysm
Fact: Taking medications as recommended by your doctor also helps to prevent the risk factors of the condition.