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How did I get an Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic Aneurysm Treatment

Heart failure is one of the most common and most concerning physical ailments.  Any time you suspect a problem with your heart, it is essential to seek medical attention.  An aortic aneurysm is one type of heart condition. The aorta is the body’s main artery. This artery carries blood that has been oxygenated from the heart to the rest of the organs in the body. An aortic aneurysm is the result of an overstretching of that artery which creates a protuberence, or bulge, somewhere along one of its walls. In some cases the aorta will burst, causing serious bleeding and possibly death.

An aortic aneurysm is a type of heart failure that can be caused from a variety of conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes, cystic medial necrosis (usually caused through an inherited condition), or injury . These conditions cause the walls of the aorta to weaken. The result of the weakened walls, often coupled with age, causes the artery to bulge and the aneurysm to occur.  A burst aneurysm can cause a great deal of pain and bleeding. Death can take place within minutes.

Aortic Aneurysm Treatment

It can be difficult to diagnose an aortic aneurysm. Risk factors include:

·         Smoking

·         High blood pressure

·         Male

·         55 years old or older

·         Family history of heart failure

The most common symptoms of an aortic aneurysm include chest and/or back pain.  In some cases you might feel light-headed, weak, short of breath, some tingling or numbness, and possibly lose consciousness. If the aneurysm is in the stomach you may feel overly full, nauseous, and/or a throbbing or pulsing sensation in your abdomen.

If you have any of these conditions, have any concern about heart failure, or feel like something just isn’t right, please see a physician immediately.  Many other conditions can cause these symptoms, but it is best to get checked out thoroughly.