An aneurysm is an excessive expansion of the aorta due to its weakness. An aortic aneurysm is the most important artery in the human body through which blood is transported from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta originates in the chest (where thoracic aortic aneurysms form), and then descends into the abdominal cavity (where abdominal aortic aneurysms are diagnosed).
Aortic aneurysm - causes.
In fact, you never know when it will appear. But it is known that this can be the result of:
deposition of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, untreated hypertension, severe stress, injuries, for example, exposure in a car accident, chronic inflammation, a history of sepsis, birth defects of the aorta.
Aortic aneurysm is a risk.
This increases the likelihood of aneurysm
smoking, aortic valve regurgitation, age (the risk increases over the years), atherosclerosis (may be a probable cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm), genetic predisposition - abdominal aortic aneurysm is much more common in people with an aneurysm in the family, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) aortitis, which occurs, among other things, when rheumatoid arthritis.
The aneurysms gradually worsen (usually over the years). The greatest danger associated with an ongoing aortic aneurysm is its rupture.
Aortic aneurysm - symptoms.
The disease can develop asymptomatically, and often the symptoms of an aneurysm are confused with those of other diseases. The following symptoms may be suspected of an aortic aneurysm:
shortness of breath, chest pain, back pain, cough, hoarseness, hemoptysis, swallowing problems, and a tendency to frequent pneumonia.
Rupture of an aortic aneurysm - symptoms.
severe chest pain, a sharp drop in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, weakness, increased pulse rate, loss of consciousness.
If such symptoms occur, an ambulance should be called immediately. The risk of death is up to 80 percent. The prognosis of an aortic aneurysm is better than before the help came.
How to detect an aneurysm before it ruptures?
The most effective way is 2 simple tests.
Heart ECHO (helps to detect thoracic aortic aneurysm) Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity (crucial for abdominal aortic aneurysm).
When should I be examined?
If you are healthy and everything is fine with you - after 40, every 2 years. When the doctor diagnosed atherosclerosis or diabetes (then the arterial walls are clearly weakened) or hypertension - also earlier and even once a year. Such tests should be performed at an increased risk of aneurysm:
after a serious injury, after a severe bacterial infection, when an aneurysm was found in the family.
The best protection against aortic aneurysms is a healthy lifestyle - quitting smoking, being active, and controlling blood pressure. It's also worth giving up alcohol, especially when we're in danger. However, the combination of an existing aortic aneurysm and alcohol is a deadly threat, as high-percentage stimulants dilate and weaken blood vessels. Jouez à Chicken Road Race et gagnez.
