Your aorta is your biggest blood vessel which carries blood from your heart to all other areas of your body. A aortic aneurysm develops when the aorta wall weakens and balloons or bulges outward. This can be life threatening, especially if the aneurysm bursts.
Below, you can learn about the signs of this condition and what you can do to reduce your risk.
What is the Aorta?
your aorta is main blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to your legs, pelvis and abdomen. It is shaped cane and out of your heart, through your chest and your abdomen (the lower part of your stomach).
Types of aortic aneurysms
There are two types of aortic aneurysms
- Thoracic aneurysm aortic aneurysm (TAA) , what happens in the part of the aorta in the chest. This may include the ascending aorta (short cane rod), the aortic arch (the handle of the cane), and the descending aorta (longest stem of the cane).
- abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) , what happens in the part of the aorta in the abdomen.
What are the symptoms of an aortic aneurysm?
aortic aneurysms usually develop over many years. In most cases, there is no early warning signs of development. As such, it is important to understand your risk factors, and talk with your doctor about whether you should be screened for an aneurysm.
In some cases, symptoms may occur.
Thoracic aortic aneurysm symptoms
The symptoms of TAA may include:
- jaw pain
- back pain
- Breathlessness
symptoms aneurysm of the abdominal aorta
symptoms of AAA can include:
- a feeling pulsation near your navel, like a heartbeat
- severe pain in the abdomen or back that comes and goes
If an aneurysm bursts, it can cause massive internal bleeding, which can be fatal. A burst aneurysm is a medical emergency, so if you think you or someone else has this condition, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Who is? risk for aortic aneurysms
aortic aneurysms usually occur in men over 60, but other risk factors may include:
- smoking
- atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries
- hypertension
- high cholesterol
- obesity
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema
- family history of aortic disease
to help reduce your risk, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a diet heart-healthy and getting regular exercise. Your doctor may also put you on medicine to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Are there treatments for aortic aneurysms?
Early diagnosis can save your life, so talk with your doctor your risk and what tests you may need. Once you are diagnosed, your doctor may recommend treatment based on aneurysm size and location, as well as your medical history and other risk factors.
- The small aneurysms can be seen with regular follow-up visits to your doctor, ultrasound tests, and lifestyle changes, like quitting smoing or lowering medications blood pressure.
- Large aneurysms may require surgery to repair before they erupt.
to schedule an appointment for an evaluation, contact the Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC 412-802-3333 .
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