Aortic aneurysm is the dilation of the walls of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the human body, which begins in the heart, passes through the chest and ends in the abdomen, being responsible for carrying arterial blood, rich in oxygen, from the heart to all the other parts of the body.
Thus, the aortic aneurysm can arise in the thoracic or abdominal aorta and generally does not cause any symptoms or health problems, however, the greatest risk of an aortic aneurysm is its rupture, which can cause serious internal bleeding, putting life in danger. at risk in just a few minutes.
Whenever there is a suspicion of an aneurysm or rupture of an aneurysm, it is very important to go to the hospital immediately, to carry out the necessary tests and start appropriate treatment, as recommended by the cardiologist or angiologist.
Aortic aneurysm symptoms
Aortic aneurysms, in most cases, do not generate any type of specific symptom, being identified only during routine medical examinations, such as tomography, or when they end up rupturing.
However, if the aneurysm grows too large, it can affect surrounding regions, such as nerves, muscles or other organs, and lead to more specific symptoms, depending on the region of the aorta affected, which includes:
1. Symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm
In this type of aneurysm, some people may identify symptoms such as:
- Severe, intense pain in the chest or upper back, which may radiate to the lower back or abdomen;
- Feeling of shortness of breath;
- Wheezing in the chest when breathing;
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing;
- Hoarseness;
- Cough.
Furthermore, although it is rarer, coughing up blood may also occur due to bleeding in the lung.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
Symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm are rarer than those of the thoracic aorta, but it can still occur:
- Abdominal pain or pain on the side of the abdomen;
- Feeling of tummy shaking or pulsing;
- Feeling of a full stomach even after eating little;
- Severe pain in the back or side;
- Pain in the gluteal region, groin and legs.
In addition, symptoms such as swelling in the legs, vomiting or even difficulty urinating may appear if the aneurysm causes compression in the ureter, which is the channel that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
3. Symptoms of ruptured aortic aneurysm
The symptoms of a ruptured aortic aneurysm are:
- Severe pain in the back or abdomen, which appears suddenly;
- Sudden and severe pain in the chest;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Excessive and sticky sweat;
- Pale and cold skin;
- Fast heartbeat;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Dizziness or vertigo;
- Mental confusion;
- Fainting.
If a person presents symptoms of a ruptured aorta, they should seek medical attention immediately or the nearest emergency room, as a ruptured aorta can cause internal bleeding and hypovolemic shock, which are very serious situations that can put life at risk. .
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of aortic aneurysm is made by a cardiologist or vascular surgeon, through imaging tests, such as computed tomography, ultrasound, X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging, for example, making it possible to confirm the diagnosis and type of aneurysm. Find out more about the tests that assess cardiovascular health.
If an aneurysm is identified in the exam images, the doctor usually evaluates other factors, such as the person’s age, health history and the degree of development of the aneurysm, to determine the best form of treatment.
Types of aortic aneurysm
Aortic aneurysms can be classified into two types, according to the location of the aorta that is affected, and include:
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm: appears in the thoracic segment of the aorta, that is, in the chest region;
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: It is the most common type of aortic aneurysm and occurs below the chest region.
The type of aortic aneurysm is identified by the doctor through diagnostic imaging tests, and they are generally found in routine exams to evaluate other health conditions.
Possible causes
The exact causes of aortic aneurysm are not fully known, however it appears to be related to a fragility or weakening of the aortic artery wall, leading to its dilation, which can occur in any part of the aorta, in the chest or abdomen.
Some factors may contribute to the development of aortic aneurysm, such as:
- Atherosclerosis;
- Smoking;
- Family history of aortic aneurysm or personal history of aortic rupture;
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol;
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
- Coronary artery disease;
- Syphilis;
- HIV infection.
Additionally, some syndromes, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, or Marfan syndrome, can also increase the risk of aortic aneurysm.
Although it is rarer, there are other factors that can also increase the risk of aortic aneurysm, such as arteritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or sarcoidosis, especially if these diseases affect the aorta.
The risk of developing an aortic aneurysm typically increases with age, being more common in men over 65 years of age.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of an aortic aneurysm must be carried out under the guidance of a cardiologist or vascular surgeon, according to the severity of the aneurysm, size, affected region of the aorta and other diseases that the person may have.
The main treatments for aortic aneurysm are:
1. Medical follow-up
Medical monitoring is indicated when the aortic aneurysm is smaller than 5 cm, and the person does not present any symptoms, in which case imaging exams are recommended every 6 to 12 months, to assess the evolution of the aneurysm.
2. Use of medicines
The use of antihypertensive medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, may be recommended by the doctor in the case of an aortic aneurysm, to reduce blood pressure, prevent the growth of the aneurysm and reduce the risk of rupture. Check out the main antihypertensive medications.
In addition, the doctor may recommend medications to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, for the treatment of atherosclerosis, in order to reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture.
3. Surgery
Surgery for aortic aneurysm is indicated by the doctor when the aneurysm is larger than 5 cm, or when the doctor detects rapid growth of the aneurysm in medical follow-up examinations, of approximately more than 0.5 cm over 6 months, or the person starts to show symptoms of the aneurysm.
Surgery is performed with the aim of removing the part of the aorta that has the aneurysm, and in some cases it is necessary to place a prosthesis to replace the blood vessel.
Recovery time from aortic aneurysm surgery can vary between 2 and 3 months, and during this time, it is important to resume daily activities only after 6 weeks, with the doctor’s approval and slowly and gradually.
Furthermore, during recovery it is also important to relax and avoid stressful situations, as they can increase blood pressure and cause some type of complication.
How to live with an aneurysm
Some care is important in everyday life to ensure better cardiovascular health and avoid complications from aortic aneurysm, and includes:
- Take the medicines recommended by your doctor, at the correct times;
- Carry out medical follow-up regularly;
- Quit smoking;
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages;
- Do regular physical activity, recommended by your doctor;
- Reduce the consumption of salt and industrialized products;
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
In addition, you should eat a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, such as . Check out the main foods that are good for cardiovascular health.
