One of the things that scares me the most in this world of medicine is when you see in the movies that a person would just drop dead. No symptoms beforehand. Just falls down and off he goes to greener pastures. Some of the times this is due to a condition called an aneurysm. A silent killer. A truly scary thing.
What is it?
An aneurysm is a bulging, ballooning, weak area in the wall of a blood vessel. It may occur in any blood vessel, but most often develops in an artery rather than a vein. An aneurysm can be categorized by its location, shape, and cause.
The larger the aneurysm, the larger the risk of rupture. The risk for rupture takes off dramatically around the 5.5 cm mark. If an aneurysm is smaller than 5.5 cm it can be followed closely and there’s a low risk of rupture.
An aneurysm may be found in many areas of the body, such as:
- Brain (cerebral aneurysm) – only 50 % survive this type
- Aorta (aortic aneurysm) – only 20% survive this type
- Blood vessels in the legs (iliac, femoral, or popliteal aneurysm)
- Neck
- Intestines
- Kidney
- Spleen
The most common types of an aneurysm is in the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. A thoracic aortic aneurysm is s type that occurs in the chest cavity. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs in the abdomen and it’s the deadliest of them all.
What causes an aneurysm?
An aneurysm may be caused by factors that result in the breakdown of the artery wall. The exact cause isn’t fully known. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) may be part of the cause.
Other causes of aneurysms are related to where they occur. Examples may include:
|
Type of aneurysm |
Causes of aneurysms |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) |
|
| Cerebral aneurysm |
|
| Common Iliac artery aneurysm |
|
| Femoral and popliteal artery aneurysm |
|
Who is at risk for an aneurysm?
You are at higher risk for an aneurysm if you have atherosclerosis, the progressive process that silently and slowly blocks arteries with plaque, putting blood flow at risk.
Risk factors you can’t control include:
- Older age
- Male
- Family history
- Genetic factors
Risk factors you can control include:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
What are the symptoms of an aneurysm?
Aneurysms may have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they will depend on the location of the aneurysm in the body. Pain is the most common symptom. This is true no matter where the aneurysm is.
Symptoms that may occur with different types of aneurysms may include:
|
Type of aneurysm |
Symptoms |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) | Constant pain in abdomen, chest, lower back, or groin area |
| Cerebral aneurysm | Sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbance, loss of consciousness |
| Common iliac aneurysm | Lower abdominal, back, or groin pain |
| Femoral and popliteal artery aneurysm | Pulsating of the artery in the groin (femoral) or on the back of the knee (popliteal), pain in the leg, sores on the feet or lower legs |
The symptoms of an aneurysm may look like other medical conditions or problems.
How is an aneurysm diagnosed?
What tests you’ll need depends on the location of the aneurysm. Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, tests for an aneurysm may include:
- CT scan. This imaging test uses X-rays and computer technology to make horizontal (axial) images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays.
- MRI. An MRI uses large magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures in the body.
- Echocardiogram (echo).This procedure evaluates the structure and function of the heart by using sound waves recorded on an electronic sensor that makes a moving picture of the heart and heart valves.
- Arteriogram (angiogram). This is an X-ray image of the blood vessels used to evaluate various conditions, such as aneurysm, stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessel), or blockages. A dye (contrast) will be injected through a thin flexible tube placed in an artery. This dye will make the blood vessels visible on the X-ray.
- Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. An ultrasound is used to view internal organs as they function. And it is used to assess blood flow through various vessels.