Q. What is an aneurysm?
A. An aneurysm is a dilation of a blood vessel (similar to a balloon) that poses a risk to health from the potential for rupture, clotting or dissecting. Rupture of an aneurysm in the brain causes a stroke and rupture of an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta causes blood loss, shock and is often fatal.
Q. What causes aneurysms?
A. Several new theories have developed over the last 15 years. It appears that the disease probably requires a basic genetic susceptibility and therefore tends to run in families. In addition, there are other contributing causes such as atherosclerotic plaque buildup, smoking, and high blood pressure.
Q. Who is at greatest risk for an aneurysm?
A. 1 in 10 men over 65 may have some enlargement of the abdominal aorta. About 1 in 100 will have a large aneurysm requiring surgery. Aneurysm are more common in men than women, although they can affect women too, particularly if they have multiple cardiovascular risk factors and are over the age of 65. Men over the age of 60 and younger men with a brother or father who has had an aneurysm are at risk. Men with other arterial diseases such as high blood pressure are also at risk.1, 2
Q. Why are aneurysms so dangerous?
A. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm's cause many deaths because they are usually silent until a medical emergency occurs. One author has referred to AAAs as a "U-Boat" in the belly because they are silent, deep, deadly and detectable by sound waves.
Q. How can I find out if I have one?
A. If you are thin and have a moderately large-sized Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, you or your doctor may be able to feel it below your rib cage. The majority of AAAs are incidentally discovered as a result of medical imaging for other conditions, by ultrasound exams, CAT scans, MRIs or even plain X-rays of the abdomen. A Life line Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm study can easily detect this condition.
Q. If I have an aneurysm, what is the risk of death from rupture?
A. Once an aneurysm reaches 5-6 cm in diameter the risk of rupture is substantial. If rupture occurs, there is about an 80% chance of death. The majority of vascular surgeons would agree that a 5-6 cm aneurysm should be repaired, unless other medical factors make surgery risky.
References:
1. The Vascular Society
2. DeRubertis BG, Trocciola SM, Ryer EJ, et al. Abdominal aortic aneurisma in women: Prevalence, risk factors, and implications for screening. J Vasc Surg 2007; 46: 630-5.
