What Is an Aortic Aneurysm?
Our blood is pumped throughout our body with help from a specialized organic pump. This pump is known as the heart, and it is hard at work all the time; even when we are sleeping. Every time the heart beats, it forces freshly oxygenated blood out of its chambers and onto the rest of the body through an intricate network of blood vessels.
As this network spreads out, the blood vessels become gradually smaller as they serve specific parts of the body. Those that act as a main passageway will need to be larger and stronger in order for them to be able to withstand the pressure. One of these larger vessels is known as the aorta.
1. The Aorta
The aorta is the largest of all blood vessels in our body. At its largest point it connects directly to the heart, and has to handle the pressure of the blood when it is at its strongest. Thus, the walls of the aorta here are particularly thick and strong as it has to be able to withstand a lot of force day in, day out.
As strong as the walls of the aorta are, however, they are not invincible. Diseases of the cardiovascular system might affect the blood vessels, while the everyday wear and tear can also take their toll. The walls can become weakened and the may be forced to bulge outwards, and this could result in what is known as an aneurysm.
2. Aneurysms
As mentioned, an aneurysm is a condition where the walls of a blood vessel have bulged outwards. They can occur in numerous different blood vessels, one of which is the aorta. In many cases, an aneurysm will show no symptoms and will go unnoticed for a long time. In other cases, however, the symptoms can be very noticeable indeed.
Depending on how large the aneurysm is, the condition can have a considerable impact on the flow of blood. If the disruption is severe enough then the condition can cause damage to organs that don’t have the oxygen that they need.
3. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
There are two main types of aortic aneurysm. One of them is the thoracic aortic aneurysm, which is located in the chest. There are numerous potential causes of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. One of these is genetic conditions that can have an impact on the walls of the blood vessels.
Other potential causes of the condition include atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of plaque inside the artery. High cholesterol can also cause the condition, as can a high blood pressure. Some infections can weaken the artery walls and lead to the condition, while an injury will also sometimes be responsible.
4. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
A thoracic aortic aneurysm will often not cause any symptoms at all. Symptoms are more like to show as the condition gets worse, however. When symptoms do show, they will often include pain which will tend to be located in the back or in the chest area.
The condition will also sometimes cause the patient to develop a cough, and their throat can become rather hoarse. The patient may also feel short of breath and they may also have difficulty swallowing and breathing. These symptoms should compel you to speak with your doctor if you have not done so already.
5. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Not only is the aorta one of the thickest blood vessels in our body, but it is also one of the longest. The aorta has to help transport blood away from the heart and onto the rest of the circulatory system. As such, the blood vessel will also pass down through the abdomen before it eventually divides into the femoral arteries.
The walls of the artery can also become bulged, resulting in what is known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm here can be just as dangerous as one in the chest, so medical assistance should be sought as soon as possible if one is suspected.
6. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
As with a thoracic aortic aneurysm, an abdominal aortic aneurysm will often not show any symptoms at all. Most aneurysms will start small and, in many cases, they will remain small. In many cases, the aneurysm may never be detected, or it might be detected just by chance.
When symptoms do show, the patient will tend to feel pain in their back, while there may also be a pain deep in the abdomen and on one side. Some patients will also feel as though there is a throbbing close to their navel. These are symptoms you should get checked out if you have not done so already.
7. Complications
As mentioned, aneurysms can affect the flow of blood to the point where tissue damage can occur due to a loss of blood. There is a potentially rather more severe complication that can arise, however. This is that if an aneurysm grows large enough then the walls of the blood vessels can literally burst.
A ruptured aneurysm is a very dangerous situation and the patient should be found medical assistance immediately.
Symptoms of the condition include intense pain in the area where the aneurysm is located. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and excess sweating. Getting the patient to an emergency room quickly can mean the difference between life and death.
8. Who’s At Risk
It is very difficult to say who is prone to an aneurysm of any type, but there are certain factors that will make some people more prone. One of these is atherosclerosis. This is the formation of plaques on the artery walls, and it tends to be more common in people who live generally unhealthy lifestyles.
A high blood pressure is another potential cause because the extra pressure is more likely to weaken the artery walls. Also, some people will simply be born more likely to have weakened artery walls. People who smoke regularly are also in a higher risk category.
9. Diagnosis
Your doctor will need to ask you about your symptoms, your medical history, your family’s medical history, and your lifestyle. A brief physical exam will also be performed, and your doctor will sometimes be able to detect an aneurysm during this procedure. Tests will be needed to help confirm the condition.
Tests will typically involve imaging techniques like CT scans, ultrasound, or X-rays that will help to reveal the aneurysm visually. If an aneurysm is detected then, depending on how large it is, your doctor might want to have it checked regularly to help ensure it is not growing dangerously large.
10. Treatment
In many cases, an aortic aneurysm will be monitored to help ensure it does not grow to a dangerous extent. In the meantime, the patient may be prescribed medication to help keep their blood pressure down to safe levels. A change in diet may also be necessary, and the patient may also be asked to not take part in strenuous exercise.
If the aneurysm does grow too large then it will need to be treated in order to help prevent it from rupturing. This typically involves replacing the damaged part of the aorta with a synthetic tube that will permanently take the place of the aorta.
