Abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the lower part of the aorta (the body's main blood vessel). The aorta leaves the heart and crosses the abdominal cavity through the chest cavity Because the aorta supplies blood to the entire body, a ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening bleeding condition.
Depending on the diameter of the aortic aneurysm and its growth tendency, the treatment may be only observation or urgent surgical intervention. After diagnosing an aneurysm, doctors carefully monitor it and plan possible surgery Surgery for a ruptured aneurysm is associated with quite a lot of risks
The majority of aortic aneurysms are found in the abdominal aorta Although the exact cause of an aneurysm is unknown, several factors may contribute to its formation:
- Tobacco use Consumption of cigarettes or other products containing tobacco increases the risk of aneurysm development In addition to directly damaging the arteries, tobacco also contributes to the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis) and increased blood pressure. Smoking also accelerates aneurysm enlargement by damaging the aorta
- hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) Atherosclerosis is the process where fat or other substances build up in the walls of blood vessels, increasing the risk of aneurysms.
- Infection in the aorta (vasculitis) In rare cases, an aneurysm may be caused by infection or inflammation, resulting in a weakening of the aortic wall.
Aneurysms can form along the entire course of the aorta, although an aneurysm in the upper part of the aorta is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm. More often, an aneurysm develops in the lower part of the aorta (abdominal aortic aneurysm).
Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta usually develops slowly and asymptomatically, which makes diagnosis difficult. Some aneurysms never rupture Some are small in diameter and do not grow, while others increase in size rapidly Predicting how quickly an aneurysm will grow is very difficult
If your abdominal aortic aneurysm has enlarged, you may notice:
- A pulsating mass in your stomach
- Deep, persistent pain in your abdomen or sides
- Lower back pain
When to see your doctor
Be sure to see your doctor if you have any of the above
People over the age of 60 who have risk factors for aneurysm development (smoking, genetic predisposition) should be screened for this disease. Because male gender and tobacco use increase the risk of developing an aneurysm, men aged 65-75 should be screened at least once with an abdominal ultrasound.
If you have had a family member with an aortic aneurysm, your doctor may recommend an abdominal ultrasound.
There are no specific screening recommendations for women Ask your doctor if you need this procedure based on your risk factors
