Abdominal Aortic Bulge: Symptoms And Treatment
An abdominal aortic bulge, or aneurysm, is an abnormal and permanent enlargement of the aorta. The condition can touch anyone and cause serious consequences.
Older people are at greater risk of suffering from this problem because the walls of their arteries are looser and more flexible. However, it has also occurred in young people, making it associated with genetic problems and secondary diseases that lead to bulging.
In this article, we take a closer look at what an abdominal aortic bulge is, how it symptoms, and how it is treated.
What is an aortic aneurysm?
The aorta is the largest artery in the entire human body, starting from the left side of the heart and carrying blood throughout the body. So what are we talking about when we refer to the abdominal aorta?
The abdominal aorta is the part of the aortic artery that runs across the abdomen just in front of the spine. It extends from the diaphragm to the fourth vertebra of the lumbar spine.
An aneurysm, on the other hand, is a bulge at some point in the artery. In other words, the walls of the blood vessel are dilated and weakened, making them more likely to rupture.
It is important to keep in mind that this is the largest artery in the entire body. It therefore carries more blood and at a higher pressure than any other blood vessel in the body. For this reason, its risk of rupture is a huge concern for those with aortic bulge.
Abdominal aortic bulge: risk factors
Although a bulge in the abdominal aorta can affect anyone, certain factors or lifestyles increase a person’s risk of suffering from it. Some factors, in turn, increase the risk of rupture in individuals who already have aortic bulge.
These factors include:
- Men are four times more likely to develop a bulge than women.
- An aneurysm is created. There are certain genetic factors associated with the heredity of the disease.
- Smoking. Tobacco has many side effects on the body. Tobacco poisons cause the veins to stiffen and become brittle, which increases the likelihood of the bulge rupturing.
- High cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Like tobacco, these two factors damage the walls of the arteries, exposing them to rupture.
- High blood pressure. When blood pressure is high, blood circulates inside the arteries at a higher pressure. This pressure is applied directly to the walls of the vessels, requiring them to be durable.
How do abdominal aortic bulge symptom?
In general, bulges develop slowly over time; they are very rarely born suddenly. But when they rupture, the situation is urgent.
As the bulge develops slowly, there are no symptoms. When it ruptures, the rupture may be small. Symptoms may appear and may gradually worsen over time. In the case of a large rupture, the symptoms appear more suddenly and more strongly.
Some of the symptoms of aortic rupture are:
- Abdominal pain that can radiate to the lower back
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Dizziness or fainting
- Cold sweat
- Shortness of breath and increased heart rate
Diagnosis and treatment of abdominal aortic bulge
If the bulge does not rupture, it is usually detected by chance in imaging studies performed for other reasons, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or X-rays.
Once a bulge in the abdominal aorta is detected, the treatment is to try to prevent it from rupturing, and this depends on the size of the bulge. In some cases, the patient should keep their blood pressure under strict control and lower their cholesterol levels. Of course, patients with an aneurysm are also advised to avoid tobacco.
In some cases, abdominal aortic bulge is best treated with surgery. This is the case, for example, if the bulge is large, more than 5 cm, or grows rapidly. This is also the case if the patient has multiple risk factors for rupture.
If the aneurysm is already ruptured, emergency surgery is required.
Risk of rupture
A bulge in the abdominal aorta is a condition that occurs so often that it should not be taken lightly. If it is detected early, patients usually manage to avoid complications with preventative treatment.
If the abdominal aorta ruptures, prompt diagnosis and urgent surgery are needed to avoid fatal consequences. Controlling blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and avoiding tobacco are essential in preventing rupture.
