BASIC INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Enlargement or bulge in an artery caused by a weak
artery wall. Aneurysms occur most often after a heart
attack and usually affect the aorta (major artery in the
chest and abdomen) or the arteries that supply the
brain, legs, or heart wall.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Symptoms vary according to which artery is affected:
Thoracic (chest) aneurysm produces pain in the
chest, neck, back and abdomen. The pain may be sudden
and sharp.
Abdominal aneurysm produces back pain (sometimes
severe), appetite and weight loss, and a pulsating mass
in the abdomen.
Aneurysm in a leg artery causes poor circulation in
the leg, with weakness and pallor or swelling and bluish
color. A pulsating mass may appear in the groin or
behind the knee.
Aneurysm in a brain artery produces headache (often
throbbing), weakness, paralysis or numbness, pain
behind the eye, vision change or partial blindness, and
unequal pupils.
Aneurysm in a heart muscle causes heartbeat irregularities
and symptoms of congestive heart failure.
CAUSES
Most common cause is high blood pressure that
weakens an artery.
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Congenitally weak artery (especially with aneurysms
in blood vessels to the brain).
Infection in the aorta caused by syphilis (rare).
Injury.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Adults over 60.
Previous heart attack.
High blood pressure.
Smoking.
Obesity.
Family history of atherosclerosis.
Polyarteritis nodosa (inflammation of the small and
medium arteries).
Bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart lining).
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Don't smoke.
Get regular exercise.
Maintain adequate nutrition and a low-fat diet.
Obtain early treatment for syphilis.
Follow your treatment program to control high blood
pressure.
Reduce stress.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Often curable with surgery to replace the diseased vessel
with grafts (artificial vessels). Surgery on a heart
aneurysm can stabilize the heartbeat and prolong life.
Aneurysms sometimes recur.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Stroke.
Rupture of the aneurysm. Symptoms include severe
headache, severe knife-like chest, abdominal or leg
pain, and loss of consciousness. If not treated, it can be
fatal.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Early detection and treatment before rupture are
essential.
Medical tests include laboratory blood studies of clotting,
ECG, X-rays of blood vessels (angiography), other
X-rays, CT scan or ultrasound.
Surgery to replace the diseased vessel or close off the
aneurysm.
An aneurysm to the brain requires emergency
surgery. Surgery for other types of aneurysms may be
scheduled at a convenient time.
Following surgery, learn to monitor and control your
blood pressure.
MEDICATIONS
Following surgery, anticoagulants to prevent bloodclot
formation and pain relievers.
Antibiotics to prevent infection may be prescribed.
ACTIVITY
Avoid heavy exertion or straining prior to surgery. After
surgery, resume normal activities gradually.
DIET
Before surgery, eat a high-fiber diet so you can avoid
straining during bowel movements. After surgery, no
special diet is necessary.
NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN IF
You or a family member has symptoms of an
aneurysm, especially a pulsating mass in your abdomen
or leg, or chest or abdominal pain. This is an emergency!
Call for help, and rest in bed until help arrives.
You have had a heart attack and develop heartbeat
irregularity or symptoms of congestive heart failure.
After surgery, any symptoms return.
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