AORTIC ANEURYSM TREATMENT IN LONDON
Aortic Aneurysm Treatment
The treatment options available for aortic aneurysms will depend on which choice is right for you. The treatments offered will either be non-surgical health management or surgical procedures.
Non-surgical treatments are the first line of defence when an aortic aneurysm is relatively tiny. We often recommend lifestyle changes, which can stop them from getting bigger and potentially rupturing.
Lifestyle changes can include the following:
- Quitting smoking
- Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Managing your stress levels
Such lifestyle changes also help manage other health conditions contributing to an aortic aneurysm’s progression.
Managing your blood pressure is crucial when treating an aortic aneurysm because the extra strain on your heart can make the aneurysm worse. Management includes regular self-checks at home or combined with blood pressure medication to lower it.
Regular health check-ups are essential when treating an aortic aneurysm. At Expert Cardiologist, we offer regular healthy heart check-ups so you can monitor your cardiovascular health and keep your condition under control.
These non-surgical interventions can slow the progression of an aortic aneurysm because they reduce the strain on your aortic valve and heart.
If your aortic aneurysm is large, growing rapidly or painful, surgery could be the best treatment.
Types of aortic aneurysm surgery:
- Endovascular repair – a minimally invasive surgery involving a thin, flexible catheter inserted through an artery to your aorta. The end of the catheter has a metal mesh tube that expands at the aneurysm’s site. The tube strengthens the weakened aorta and reduces the risk of it rupturing.
- Open surgery – the surgeon removes the damaged part of your aorta and replaces it with an artificial graft.
Surgical treatments have many benefits, including stopping the progression and potential rupturing and strengthening your aorta. However, like all surgeries, there are some associated risks, such as infection. However, the chances of them happening during this surgery are rare, and both treatments are generally successful.
Aortic aneurysms occur in your heart’s aorta. Over time, they can swell and possibly rupture.
At Expert Cardiologist, we can help you protect your heart health, including treating aortic aneurysms to prevent rupturing. Contact our caring team if you are concerned about your heart health and want to avoid an aortic aneurysm.
What Is An Aortic Aneurysm?
An aortic aneurysm is a heart condition that involves the weakening and ballooning of your aorta — the main artery in your body. The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of your body.
The aorta can weaken over time, causing it to expand or bulge like a balloon. This expansion can occur for several reasons, and if left untreated, the weakened area will continue growing. As a result, it’s at an increased risk of rupturing, leading to life-threatening complications.
Aortic aneurysms could be a medical emergency, so diagnosing and monitoring them is crucial to prevent complications. Early diagnosis, regular heart check-ups, safeguarding your cardiovascular health and treatment can prevent a rupture from happening.
Types Of Aortic Aneurysm
There are two types of aortic aneurysms — abdominal and thoracic.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur below your diaphragm because the aorta passes through your abdomen and can weaken or balloon in that area. AAAs develop when the abdominal segment of the aortic wall expands, with the ballooning typically happening in the lower parts of the aorta.
Thoracic aortic aneurysms happen in the thoracic (chest) cavity in the upper part of the aorta. These aneurysms are caused by a weakening and ballooning of the aorta in the chest, impacting the aorta as it travels from the heart.
Aortic aneurysms pose a significant health risk as a rupture could cause internal bleeding. Early detection and proper treatment are essential when preventing life-threatening complications.
Symptoms Of Aortic Aneurysm
The symptoms of an aortic aneurysm will depend on its size, location and whether it is causing any complications in your body. Some cases of aortic aneurysm may be completely asymptomatic until the rupture occurs. That’s why regular heart check-ups, like our Healthy Heart Check, are essential for diagnosing and treating aortic aneurysms early.
However, you might experience some symptoms of an aortic aneurysm, including the following:
- Throbbing in your abdomen (only apparent in abdominal aortic aneurysms)
- Deep, constant pain in your chest, abdomen, back or groin
- Tenderness or sensitivity in the aneurysm’s area, worsening during physical exertion or applied pressured
When a rupture occurs, it is a medical emergency. If you feel sudden, severe pain in your chest, back or abdomen, call 999 immediately.
An absence of symptoms does not mean your heart health is fine. The only way to be sure you do not have an aortic aneurysm is through regular heart health screenings and monitoring.
What Causes Aortic Aneurysm?
Genetic and lifestyle factors play significant roles in the many potential causes of an aortic aneurysm. Understanding the factors that can cause an aortic aneurysm is crucial when preventing and managing the condition.
Chronic health conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) can contribute to aortic aneurysm development. The excessive stress on your arterial walls causes them to weaken over time. The constant pressure and strain make the aorta more susceptible to aneurysm formation, especially in your abdominal aorta.
Aortic Aneurysm Risk Factors
Some risk factors can increase your likelihood of developing aortic aneurysms.
These risk factors include:
- Your age – as you age, the risk of aortic aneurysm increases
- Smoking – the habit causes your blood vessels to weaken and increases the likelihood of plaque build-up
- Family history – you may have a genetic predisposition to aortic aneurysm
- Gender – men can have a higher risk of aortic aneurysm than women
- Connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – these cause a weakened aortic wall, making it more prone to aneurysm formation
You can avoid some of these risk factors. Smoking is a good example. However, you can’t prevent others like connective tissue disorders or age.
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How Is Aortic Aneurysm Diagnosed?
Diagnosing aortic aneurysm is vital for treatment and management. It involves a combination of physical examinations, advanced image testing and an assessment of your medical history.
Imaging is crucial for their detection, given that aortic aneurysms tend to be asymptomatic or initially have subtle symptoms.
Some of the tests performed to diagnose the condition include:
- Ultrasound
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Angiography
Once a doctor has diagnosed an aortic aneurysm, you must have regular monitoring and recommended treatments to maintain your heart health.
As aortic aneurysms generally have no symptoms, regular health check-ups help to ensure early detection. By diagnosing an aortic aneurysm early, we can start treatment sooner and reduce the risk of rupture.
Book A Cardiology Appointment With Dr Karagiannis
To improve your heart health, schedule an appointment with Dr Karagiannis for an aortic aneurysm evaluation. We offer specialised care and personalised treatment plans to help you protect your cardiovascular health.
Early detection and intervention can be life-saving, so contact us today and embark on the path to good heart health with the full support and expert knowledge of Dr Karagiannis.
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