Aortic aneurysm

Overview

Aneurysms grow slowly and are watched with scans until they reach a size where repair is safer.

Rupture causes sudden severe pain and is often fatal.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Usually no symptoms

Less common

• Belly or back pain
• Pulsing feeling in belly

When to get medical care

Causes

Weak artery wall.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Smoking
• Men over 65

Possible complications

• Aortic dissection (tear in the aorta): A tear in the wall

Diagnosis

Ultrasound or CT.

Treatment

Lower risk.

Self-care

• Don't smoke
• Control blood pressure

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

• Don't smoke
• Control blood pressure

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a vascular surgeon or a cardiologist (heart doctor).

Living with it

Support groups and helplines

• American Heart Association: Plain-language heart information and a support network for patients.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Men 65 to 75 who smoked: One-time screening ultrasound.
• Men over 65 who smoked: Get screened.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Monitored and repaired.

Repair prevents rupture.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• How often do I need a scan?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Aortic aneurysm