The aorta is the largest artery in the body; when it weakens, bulges, and bursts, the results are often fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9,863 people died from aortic aneurysms in 2014 (the last time data was taken).
A Silent Killer
Neal Sawlani, MD, structural heart cardiologist at the Advocate Heart Institute at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, says that “this is a completely silent killer. It often goes unnoticed until someone looks for it with an X-ray, MRI or Ultrasound."
This conditions typically occurs when the weakened aorta starts to grow and dilate. In what is called dissection, the artery wall can also split due to the force of the blood being pumped through.
The Two Types
An aortic aneurysm can occur anywhere along the aorta, but the two main types are a thoracic aortic aneurysm, which occurs in the chest, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is found in the abdomen.
Unfortunately, the symptoms are often non-existent. According to the Mayo Clinic, an abdominal aortic aneurysm might cause pain in the back, abdomen, legs or groin, and a pulsing feeling near the navel. With a thoracic aortic aneurysm, people sometimes report difficulty breathing or swallowing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and coughing.
Risk Factors
Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur more frequently than thoracic aortic aneurysms and are mostly due to hardening of the arteries. According to the CDC, those who smoke, are three to five times more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
For thoracic aortic aneurysms, the risk seems to be more genetic. Those with a family history of conditions such as Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome should discuss the risk with their doctors. High blood pressure or cholesterol, and smoking can make matters worse.
Screening
Aortic aneurysms can be detected by echocardiogram, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray. The U.S Preventive Services Task Force suggests that men who have smoked and are between the ages of 65-75 should undergo an ultrasound screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, even if they are not showing any symptoms. There is not enough evidence to determine if women need regular screening.
“Those with a family history of aortic aneurysms should be screened even in the absence of risk factors,” says Alan Brown, MD, director of cardiology and the Lipid Clinic at the Advocate Heart Institute at Lutheran General Hospital.
If an aortic aneurysm is detected, doctors can prescribe medications to lower blood pressure or cholesterol, which can help to prevent it from enlarging. If the bulge is already large or grows quickly between screenings, surgery to graft the damaged section might help.
Prevention
If you smoke, it’s about time you quit. Uncontrolled blood pressure is another major risk factor, and cholesterol is also a concern. Therefore, Dr. Sawlani recommends that people work with their doctors to control cholesterol and blood pressure.
Don’t forget your lifestyle: A healthy diet and frequent exercise can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Make sure that your diet includes fruit, lean meats, fish, whole grains, and vegetables. Avoid saturated fat, and added salt and sugar.
Source: rd
Images: depositphotos
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