What it is
An aneurysm is a bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery — a vessel carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart. A large one can burst, causing dangerous bleeding or death. Most aneurysms are in the aorta, the main artery running from the heart through the chest and abdomen.
Two types
| Type | Where |
|---|---|
| Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) | the aorta in the chest |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) | the aorta in the abdomen |
Finding them
Most are found during tests done for other reasons. Because an aneurysm can grow large before causing symptoms, people at high risk should be screened.
Screening is recommended for people aged 65 to 75 who:
- have a family history of aneurysm; or
- are men who have smoked.
Doctors find aneurysms with imaging tests.
Treatment
The two main treatments are medicines and surgery.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Aortic Aneurysm," National Library of Medicine, with content from the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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