Aortic aneurysm consists of permanent dilation of some part of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which is subdivided into the abdominal aorta and the thoracic aorta. Depending on the region of the aorta in which there is dilation, it can be classified as thoracic and abdominal, the latter being more frequent.
In most cases, the aortic aneurysm does not generate symptoms, being noticed only during routine medical examinations. The risk of suffering this type of injury increases with age, being more common in men over 65 years of age. There are also some risk factors for developing the disease such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, hypertension and coronary heart disease. See the symptoms of atherosclerosis in the aorta.
Symptoms of aortic aneurysm
Symptoms of aortic aneurysm vary according to the portion of the affected artery and the size of the aneurysm. In the case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, there are usually no symptoms, and may grow slowly and be identified only in routine examinations.
When the abdominal aneurysm is large, it may be possible to feel a certain pulse in the abdominal region, lower back pain and severe or constant chest pain. The thoracic aortic aneurysm, on the other hand, can generate nonspecific symptoms related to the area where it is located. For example: aneurysm of the thoracic aorta that affects the throat region can cause difficulty in swallowing and hoarseness. Learn to recognize the symptoms of aortic aneurysm.
In some cases, the aneurysm wall may become weak at the same time that the blood pressure is constant, which can result in the aneurysm rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding.
Main causes
The main causes of aortic aneurysm are:
- Atherosclerosis, which corresponds to the accumulation of fatty plaques inside the aortic artery; Hypertension; Genetic factors; Diabetes, Heart problems; Hypercholesterolemia.
In addition, the age of over 65 and the habit of smoking may favor the appearance of the aneurysm.
In order to diagnose aortic aneurysm, the doctor may order certain tests, such as computed tomography, x-ray and echocardiogram, for example. Learn more about the tests that evaluate the heart.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for aortic aneurysm depends on the person's age and the presence of other associated diseases, and it may be indicated to perform a surgical procedure to repair the aorta or replace it with a graft made with synthetic material. Understand how the treatment for aortic aneurysm is done.
For the prevention of an aortic aneurysm, regular physical activity and a balanced diet, low in fat and salt, are recommended.
