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Key Points
- An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your
body.
- Arteries have thick walls to withstand normal
blood pressure. However, certain medical problems, genetic conditions, and
trauma can damage or injure artery walls. The force of blood pushing against
the weakened or injured walls can cause an aneurysm.
- An aneurysm can grow large and burst (rupture) or
cause a dissection. Rupture causes dangerous bleeding inside the body. A
dissection is a split in one or more layers of the artery wall. The split
causes bleeding into and along the layers of the artery wall. Both conditions
are often fatal.
- Most aneurysms occur in the aortathe main
artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta
goes through the chest and abdomen.
- An aneurysm that occurs in the part of the aorta
that's in the chest is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). An aneurysm
that occurs in the part of the aorta in the abdomen is called an abdominal
aortic aneurysm (AAA). Aneurysms also can occur in other arteries, but these
types of aneurysm are less common.
- A number of factors can damage and weaken the
walls of the aorta and cause aortic aneurysms. Examples include aging, smoking,
high
blood pressure,
atherosclerosis,
infections, certain genetic conditions, and trauma. Family history also may
play a role in causing aortic aneurysms.
- The signs and symptoms of an aortic aneurysm
depend on the type of aneurysm, its location, and whether it has ruptured or is
affecting other parts of the body. Aneurysms can develop and grow for years
without causing signs or symptoms.
- Your doctor may find an aortic aneurysm by chance
during a routine physical exam. More often, doctors find aneurysms during tests
done for other reasons, such as chest or abdominal pain. To diagnose and
evaluate an aneurysm, your doctor may recommend one or more tests.
- Aortic aneurysms are treated with medicines and
surgery. A small aneurysm that's found early and isn't causing symptoms may not
need treatment. Every aneurysm should be evaluated.
- Your doctor may prescribe medicines before
surgery or instead of surgery. He or she may recommend surgery if your aneurysm
is growing quickly or if it reaches a size linked with an increased risk of
rupture or dissection.
- The best way to prevent an aneurysm is to avoid
the factors that put you at higher risk for one. You can't control all of the
risk factors for aneurysm, but lifestyle changes can help you reduce your
risks. Examples of lifestyle changes include following a healthy diet, doing
physical activity, not smoking, and treating other medical conditions such as
high blood pressure and
high
blood cholesterol.
- If you have an aortic aneurysm, it's important to
follow your treatment plan and have ongoing medical care. Early diagnosis and
treatment help prevent many cases of rupture and dissection.
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