You’ve probably heard of the aorta, which is the largest blood vessel in the heart and drops down through the chest and abdomen to supply blood to all parts of the body. An abdominal aortic aneurysm can occur if the aorta becomes swollen or enlarged, which can be life-threatening unless the individual seeks immediate medical treatment. This condition typically occurs in aged men and women, and you can easily get a screening done to rule out the possibility of this condition.
Let’s explore more details about an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
What Are The Symptoms of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
This condition does not have any apparent symptoms, which is the difficult part about it since it is mostly picked up in tests and screenings for other purposes. However, some people are likely to experience a heartbeat-like sensation in their abdomen, pain in their belly, and chronic lower back pain, which lasts indefinitely. If AAA becomes complicated and bursts, you will experience a lot of pain in your belly or back, have dizzy spells, sweat profusely and lose the color in your skin, feeling short of breath, and potentially pass out, which are signs of needing immediate medical intervention.
If you’re an aged individual, you should always have an ambulance on your speed dial in case there’s an emergency situation, allowing you to reach out for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed by symptoms. You might also want to alert your family members or friends if it is quicker for you to reach the hospital by car. Either way, as soon as you discover similar symptoms as this condition, you will want to get an ultrasound done to be sure. Older adults are generally more at risk of AAA, which is why it helps to keep your doctor in the loop at all times and stay aware of any changes in your health.
Who Develops This Condition, And How is it Treated?
If you’re wondering how AAA occurs, it’s usually due to high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and smoking, especially if you’re over 65 years of age, which makes it important for you to book an appointment with your GP and have him discuss options, such as getting a scan or making the right lifestyle changes to minimize the likelihood of AAA occurring. Depending on the severity of the condition, you might need to get frequent ultrasounds done to monitor the situation. Typically, you need to make healthy lifestyle changes to make the condition go away, but if the size of the AAA is more than 5.5cm, you will have to get surgery immediately.
You should quit smoking and begin exercising daily and eating healthy foods to ensure that you minimize the risk of developing AAA.
Seek A Medical Opinion
Milner Vein & Vascular offers a variety of treatment plans after diagnosing your condition, allowing you to learn more about your vascular health and visit experienced doctors who are always on call and accommodate same-day appointments.
Final Verdict
An abdominal aortic aneurysm can be deadly if it grows to a large size and bursts, which can lead to the individual bleeding out, resulting in a slow and painful death. If you take proactive action and make the necessary lifestyle changes, you will find that you will stay protected against this condition, allowing you to live a long and healthy life.