A Time Bomb in the Body: Aortic Aneurysm Alert!
An aortic aneurysm is a condition where the body's largest blood vessel, the aorta, becomes abnormally swollen, posing a dangerous threat to health. An aortic aneurysm is a condition where there is an abnormal enlargement of part of the wall of the aorta, which is the largest major artery in the body. The aorta runs from the heart, through the chest cavity (thorax), and down through the abdominal cavity (abdomen).
The aorta is the most important and large blood vessel in the human body. It distributes blood and oxygen from the heart to all parts of the body. The aorta has a thick wall that can maintain its shape even with blood pressure on its interior. However, in this condition, the wall becomes weak and unable to withstand the blood pressure resulting in swelling. If it swells continuously, the vessel can rupture and cause bleeding and death.
But calm down, Friends of Hermina, in the case of aortic aneurysm, usually the swelling does not occur suddenly. The aorta will enlarge slowly and show no symptoms at all, but meanwhile the blood pressure in it will slowly weaken.
Aortic aneurysms can occur in both the thoracic aorta (thoracic aortic aneurysm) and the abdominal aorta (abdominal aortic aneurysm). Some people can experience both types at the same time and can develop swelling that can tear the inner lining of the aortic wall.
Symptoms of Aortic Aneurysm
In this case, the aortic aneurysm is often asymptomatic. This is what makes the condition quite fatal because symptoms usually appear when the swelling of the blood vessel has enlarged or already ruptured so that the patient is difficult or too late to be saved.
Mild aortic aneurysms can be found if the patient takes a medical test. However, if the aortic aneurysm has entered a more severe stage, it will usually experience several symptoms such as:
- Chest and back pain
- Strong throbbing in the abdominal area
- Shortness of breath and rapid heart rate
- Numbness, tingling, or cold sensation in the hands or feet
- Nausea, lightheadedness, and weakness to the point of fainting
Causes of Aortic Aneurysm
Because the aortic wall is weakened. This may be congenital or may occur during adulthood due to the following conditions:
- Atherosclerosis: a condition where the arteries are damaged or clogged with cholesterol that sticks to the walls of the vessels.
- High blood pressure: puts pressure on the walls of the aorta. If left unchecked for a long period of time, this pressure can lead to bulging of the blood vessel wall.
- Diabetes: uncontrolled diabetes can make the condition of atherosclerosis appear early and severe, thus damaging the blood vessels and making them weak and vulnerable to other diseases.
- Injury: Injuries can also affect the chest or abdomen, for example, a vehicle accident or a hard fall can damage part of the aorta, causing it to bulge and weaken.
Prevention of Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic aneurysms cannot be prevented with medication. However, several things can be done to keep the blood vessels healthy and strong including:
- Keep blood pressure normal
- Avoid foods that contain high cholesterol and fat
- Stop smoking
- and always do regular health checks
Therefore, do not postpone your health check-ups even though you look fine. Routine health checks can help you monitor and prevent the onset of unwanted diseases, one of which is aortic aneurysm. Let's visit Hermina Bogor for a Medical Check Up and further examination by a doctor.
Reference:
- Journal of Vascular Surgery. (2022). “Evolution of Endovascular Techniques in Aortic Aneurysm Management.” Vol. 15, No. 2.
- American Heart Association. (2021). “Understanding Aortic Aneurysm.” Accessed from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/aortic-aneurysm