Risk factors and symptoms of aortic aneurysm

What are the factors leading to aortic aneurysm?

1.         The main factors are atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, middle cystic necrosis. High blood pressure is the main cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection, and will aggravate aortic medial cystic necrosis; diabetes will accelerate the atherosclerosis of blood vessels.

2.         Other factors include genetic disease, familial inheritance, aortic wall hematoma or penetrating ulcer, smoking, heart disease and pregnancy.

3.         Pay attention to the control of blood pressure, smoking and drinking, avoid high calorie high-fat diet and pay attention to physical exercise, develop a good living habits will help to prevent the occurrence of aortic aneurysm.

High incidence population of aortic aneurysm

1.         Abdominal aortic aneurysm mostly happened in elderly, and people with atherosclerosis. The incidence of people over 65 is 8%.

2.         High risk people of thoracic aortic aneurysm are age between 50-75 years old, long term smoking and heavy drinking, high blood pressure and diabetes, and also it happens in men more than women.

Sign and symptoms:

Thoracic aortic aneurysm:

Most intact aortic aneurysms do not produce symptoms. As they enlarge, symptoms such as sudden severe pain of chest, back, neck, shoulder, or abdomen may develop. Tearing pain is a signal of critical size, dissection occurred, or aneurysm ruptures. Other symptoms include sweating, numbness, weakness, shortness of breath, increase heart beats, and lose of conscious.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm:

The vast majority of aneurysms are asymptomatic. However, as abdominal aortic aneurysms expand, they may become painful and lead to pulsating sensations in the abdomen or pain in the chest, lower back, or scrotum. On physical examination, a palpable and pulsatile abdominal mass can be noted. If the thrombosis of aneurysm format to lower extremity embolism, leg pain, pale skin, weakness, cannot walk will appear.