Aneurysm
- Article
- 2021-01-31
Also known as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your organs. Aortic aneurysms are aneurysms that occur in the aorta, the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to your body. This health theme focuses on two types of aneurysms affecting the aorta: abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms. An aortic aneurysm may not cause any signs or symptoms until the aneurysm ruptures or dissects. The types of symptoms that occur before a rupture depend on the location of the aneurysm and whether it has grown large enough to affect other parts of your body. An aneurysm that ruptures or decomposes is life-threatening. Treatment for your aortic aneurysm will depend on its cause, size and location, and the factors that put you at risk. Small aortic aneurysms can be treated with healthy lifestyle changes or medications. The goal is to slow the growth of the aneurysm and reduce the risk of rupture or dissection. Your doctor can treat other medical conditions that increase your risk of fracture or dissection, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and high blood cholesterol. Surgery may be recommended to repair large aneurysms. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as: Your doctor may recommend drugs to treat an aortic aneurysm, including: Depending on the cause or size of an aortic aneurysm or how fast it is growing, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair it. A rupture or dissection of an aneurysm may require immediate surgical repair. Complications from both types of aortic aneurysm repair can occur and can be life-threatening. These include:
The aorta has thick walls that can withstand normal blood pressure. However, certain medical problems, genetic conditions, and trauma can damage or weaken these walls. The force of the blood pressing against the weakened or damaged walls can cause an aneurysm.
An aortic aneurysm can become large and rupture or split. A split is called a dissection and, like a fracture, is life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious or life-threatening complications. However, aortic aneurysms can develop and become large before they cause symptoms. Doctors can slow the growth of an aortic aneurysm with drugs or repair it with surgery if it is found before it ruptures or dissects. Symptoms
Therapy
Healthy lifestyle changes
Medicines
Procedures or surgery
Possible complications related to surgery
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