How to know if it's an aortic aneurysm

Aortic aneurysms are detected by exams such as X-rays, ultrasound, tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Aortic aneurysms are dilations that occur in that blood vessel and an important cause is atherosclerosis.

Normally, people who have aneurysms do not experience symptoms and only discover that they are sick when having an exam. Treatment is carried out with a cardiologist and, in the most severe cases, with surgery, as there is a risk that the aneurysm will rupture and cause hemorrhages, which may lead to death.

Main symptoms

Most aneurysms have no symptoms and you only know you have an aneurysm when you go to the doctor or have an exam like an X-ray or ultrasound. Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm, which may be:

• Ringing in the ear; Headache; Dizziness or vertigo; Drowsiness; Bluish-colored lips, ears and nails; Dry cough that does not improve even with the use of medicines. In some cases, cough may occur with the elimination of phlegm with blood; Tiredness and shortness of breath; Vomiting; Difficulty in swallowing food.

Often, the appearance of symptoms means that the aneurysm is already more advanced, putting the person's life at risk. Therefore, in case of suspicion, you should go immediately to the emergency department of a hospital.

How to confirm the diagnosis

Aneurysms are dilations of the aortic wall that make this artery weaker and as the aorta is a blood vessel that leaves the heart and travels throughout the body, aneurysms are classified according to their location, for example:

• Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta: they are located in the part of the aorta that is in the chest; Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta: they are located in the part of the aorta that is in the abdomen.

In this way, the diagnosis will define exactly the location where the aneurysm is occurring, and specific tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography, aortography and magnetic resonance may be necessary. Even so, aneurysms can only be recognized when they already have complications, such as rupture.

Possible causes and complications

Aortic aneurysms can be caused by:

• Atherosclerosis, which are the fatty plaques that clog blood vessels; Syphilis in advanced stages; Trauma, such as car accidents or falls in which major shocks occur in the chest or abdomen; Congenital diseases, such as Marfan's Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos.

The main and most serious consequence of aneurysms is rupture, causing great blood loss and high risk of death. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure is a factor that worsens the aneurysm and increases the risk of rupture, which is why those who have high blood pressure should take the drugs prescribed by the doctor and the diet indicated by the nutritionist. Check out 5 tips to control high blood pressure.

How to treat aortic aneurysm

The treatment of aortic aneurysm depends on the severity of the case. Often, treatment begins with the control of associated diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but in more severe cases, when the aneurysm is large or ruptures, surgery is necessary. Learn more about how to treat aortic aneurysms.