Your arteries perform a critical job: they transport blood from your heart to all other areas throughout your body. Normally, the arterial wall is strong enough to support the corresponding blood pressure. However, if those walls weaken, a rupture or dissection can occur. These are called aneurysms. While they typically happen in the aorta, they can also happen within the brain.

If a rupture occurs, it can lead to bleeding within your body. On the other hand, a dissection manifests as a tear in one of the arterial layers. If that happens, the bleeding will spread within the layers of the wall. If a patient does not receive immediate medical attention, both circumstances can be fatal.

Below, we’ll explore the influences which can lead to aneurysms as well as the factors that increase their risk. You’ll also learn what signs to look for and how the problem is treated.

Known Causes And Risk Factors

While ruptures and dissections occur as a result of arterial wall weakening, it is important to know the conditions which ultimately lead to such weakening. High blood pressure is a primary cause. So, too, is age. Smoking plays an influential role, of course. Many doctors also believe genetics can be a factor.

Patients who are have been diagnosed with other conditions such as Loeys-Dietz syndrome or Marfan syndrome) are more susceptible to experiencing an aneurysm. These conditions and others can damage the aorta leading to a weakening in the arterial wall.

Potential Warning Signs

Most individuals have the impression of aneurysms, they often imagine an immediate excruciating pain lancing through them. Actually people can develop this symptom without knowing or recognizing it until many years later. If one ruptures in the abdominal area, the symptoms are rapid; they include vomiting, a lightheaded sensation, and severe pain. If a dissection does happen in the thoracic area of your body, you will feel pain throughout your chest, back and jaw. It may also be difficult to breathe or swallow.

Medical Treatment

As noted above, if a rupture or dissection occurs, it is life-threatening and must be treated immediately. Otherwise, the course of treatment is to prevent an aneurysm form growing bigger. Doing so can prevent a rupture or dissection.

A physician will often prescribe medicine (for example, beta blockers) in order to decrease the patient’s blood pressure. If there is a risk that an aneurysm is getting larger quickly, surgery may be necessary. In most cases, the problematic portion of the aorta is removed and a graft is put in its place. A patient that is in reasonably good health can expect a full recovery.

It is critical that once this type of problem has been diagnosed that the patient maintain a regular check-up schedule with his or her doctor. The earlier and more consistently it can be treated, the less likelihood of experiencing a life-threatening situation.

Extended details about Aortic Aneurysm can be found at the Virginia Thoracic Surgeons website.