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What Is an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm (AN-u-rism) is an abnormal bulge or “ballooning” in
the wall of an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry
oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
An aneurysm that grows and becomes large enough can burst,
causing dangerous, often fatal, bleeding inside the body.
Most aneurysms occur in the aorta. The aorta is the main
artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the
body. The aorta comes out from the left ventricle (VEN-trih-kul)
of the heart and travels through the chest and abdomen. An
aneurysm that occurs in the aorta in the chest is called
a thoracic (tho-RAS-ik) aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm that
occurs in the aorta in the abdomen is called an abdominal
aortic aneurysm.
Aneurysms also can occur in arteries in the brain, heart,
intestine, neck, spleen, back of the knees and thighs, and
in other parts of the body. If an aneurysm in the brain bursts,
it causes a stroke.
About 15,000 Americans die each year from ruptured aortic
aneurysms. Ruptured aortic aneurysm is the 10th leading cause
of death in men over age 50 in the United States.
Many cases of ruptured aneurysm can be prevented with early
diagnosis and medical treatment. Because aneurysms can develop
and become large before causing any symptoms, it is important
to look for them in people who are at the highest risk. Experts
recommend that men who are 65 to 75 years old and have ever
smoked (at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime) should
be checked for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
When found in time, aneurysms can usually be treated successfully
with medicines or surgery. If an aortic aneurysm is found,
the doctor may prescribe medicine to reduce the heart rate
and blood pressure. This can reduce the risk of rupture.
Large aortic aneurysms, if found in time, can often be repaired
with surgery to replace the diseased portion of the aorta.
The outlook is usually excellent.
Types of Aneurysm
Types of aneurysm include aortic aneurysms, cerebral aneurysms,
and peripheral aneurysms.
Aortic Aneurysm
Most aneurysms occur in the aorta. The aorta is the main
artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the
body. The aorta comes out from the left ventricle of the
heart and travels through the chest and abdomen. The two
types of aortic aneurysm are thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)
and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm that occurs in the part of the aorta
running through the thorax (chest) is a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
One in four aortic aneurysms is a TAA.
Most TAAs do not produce symptoms, even when they are large.
Only half of all people with TAAs notice any symptoms. TAAs
are identified more often now than in the past because of
chest computed
tomography (CT) scans performed for other medical problems.
In a common type of TAA, the walls of the aorta become weak
and a section nearest to the heart enlarges. Then the valve
between the heart and the aorta cannot close properly and
blood leaks backward into the heart. Less commonly, a TAA
can develop in the upper back away from the heart. A TAA
in this location can result from and injury to the chest
such as from an auto crash.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm that occurs in the part of the aorta
running through the abdomen is an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Three in four aortic aneurysms are AAAs.
An AAA can grow very large without producing symptoms. About
1 in 5 AAAs rupture.
Other Names for Aneurysm
- Aortic aneurysm
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm, or TAA
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Peripheral aneurysm
What Causes an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm can result from atherosclerosis (hardening
and narrowing of the inside of arteries). As atherosclerosis
develops, the artery walls become thick and damaged and lose
their normal inner lining. This damaged area of artery can
stretch or “balloon” from the pressure of blood
flow inside the artery, resulting in an aneurysm.
An aneurysm also can develop from constant high
blood pressure inside an artery.
A thoracic aortic aneurysm can result from an injury to
the chest (for example, an injury that occurs from an auto
crash). Certain medical conditions, such as Marfan
syndrome, that weaken the body’s connective tissues,
also can cause aneurysms.
In rare cases, infections such as untreated syphilis (a
sexually transmitted infection) can cause aortic aneurysms.
Aortic aneurysms also can occur as a result of diseases that
cause inflammation of blood vessels, such as vasculitis.
Who Is At Risk for an Aneurysm?
Populations Affected
Men are 5 to 10 times more likely than women to have an
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)—the most common type
of aneurysm.
The risk of AAA increases as you get older, and it is more
likely to occur in people between the ages of 60 to 80. A
peripheral aneurysm also is more likely to affect people
ages 60 to 80. Cerebral (brain) aneurysms, though rare, are
more likely to occur in people ages 35 to 60.
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your risk for aneurysm include:
- Atherosclerosis,
a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
- Smoking. You are eight times more likely to develop an
aneurysm if you smoke.
- Overweight or obesity.
- A family history of aortic aneurysm, heart disease, or
other diseases of the arteries.
- Certain diseases that can weaken the wall of the aorta,
such as:
- Marfan syndrome (an
inherited disease in which tissues don’t develop
normally)
- Untreated syphilis (a very rare cause today)
- Tuberculosis (also a very rare cause today)
- Trauma such as a blow to the chest in a car accident.
- Severe and persistent high
blood pressure between the ages of 35 and 60. This
increases the risk for a cerebral aneurysm.
- Use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine.
How Can an Aneurysm Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent an aneurysm is to avoid the risk
factors that increase the changes of developing one. To do
this, you can:
- Quit smoking.
- Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet to reduce the buildup
of plaque in the arteries. Plaque is a fatty buildup that
narrows the arteries.
- Control high
blood pressure (eating a low-salt diet helps).
- Control high
cholesterol.
- Get regular physical activity.
To read the rest of this article, and related materials
from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, please
click here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/arm/arm_what.html
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