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Is a Heart Aneurysm Serious

Is a Heart Aneurysm Serious? 

All heart problems are serious.  Aneurysms can form without any symptoms.  Over time, they grow and break down blood vessel walls.  The walls bulge due to the excessive pressure caused by a thick collection of blood within the blood vessel.  Pressure builds up and releases a blood clot.  Clots can travel and restrict blood flow in other parts of the body.

Symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Tingling or numbness
• Deep, aching or throbbing back pain
• Unexplained, sudden and severe chest pain

Causes of a heart aneurysm could be:

• A hardened artery (atherosclerosis)
• Local artery injury
• High blood pressure
• Aging

To diagnose a heart aneurysm, you will undergo some of these testing methods:

• ECG which monitors electrical activity of heartbeats while recording their rate and regularity
• CT Scan that takes an X-ray of the chest, showing any bulges in the heart
• MRI reveals heart damage by using magnetism, radio waves and computer imaging
• ECHO which ultrasounds and monitors the movement of blood through the heart

If the aneurysm is small and causes no problems, it will be monitored. If the aneurysm is too big, drugs, such as thrombolytics, hypertensives and antiarrythmics are prescribed. If the aneurysm is severe, you might need surgery. Due to its many risks, surgery is a last resort option.

Preventative measures are:

• Maintaining a healthy blood pressure by keeping stress levels low
• Following healthy lifestyle choices such as no heavy drinking and no smoking
• Keeping regular doctor appointments especially if you have other heart problems or there is atherosclerosis located in other parts of your body

Those most at risk people are those with:

• Untreated diabetes
• Inflammatory conditions
•  History of aortic aneurysm in the family
• People over the age of 55, especially males.
• People with Marfan’s Syndrome

    Although it may go unnoticed and show no symptoms for quite some time, heart problems are serious. If you think you may have a heart aneurysm or any other heart problems, see a doctor.  An untreated aneurysm could cause pain due to a increased in its size,  a stroke, cardiac arrest and possibly death.