“Abdominal aneurysm prevention”
I had a friend die of an abdominal aortic aneurysm recently. Are there waning signs that were maybe missed? What can be done to prevent one from happeninng?
15 Answers
Early detection by ultrasound
The most important thing to reduce risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm is to quit smoking if you are an smoker. Family history is important. Screening abdominal Ultrasound is recommend on males between 65-75 years old who ever smoked. Main manifestation is low back pain.
Abdominal Aorta aneurysms are usually silent and not detectable until they rupture which is life threatening. The best way to prevent a ruptured aorta aneurysm is to find it before it ruptures. The best way to find out if one has an abdominal aorta aneurysm is to get an abdominal aorta ultrasound.
There are not usually any warning signs. One way to prevent aortic aneurysms is not smoking. If you have risk factors you PCP can order an ultrasound to screen for aortic aneurysm.
Dr Callahan
Dr Callahan
Most important part is the screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA). There might be subtle signs but hard to recognize by many patients. AAA usually is associated with other cardiac and vascular conditions but can be isolated.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a silent killer. Usually, the only symptom is rupture that is associated with 80% mortality. Siblings or children of patients with an AAA have a genetic increased rate of 7% over the normal population of developing an AAA. People at normal risk usually have history of hypertension and smoking. If one has a family history or at risk because of hypertension and/or smoking, after age 50-55 years one should have an abdominal aortic ultrasound (painless) to scan the abdominal aorta for aneurysmal formation. If one is present, there is no significant alarm unless the aneursym is 5.0 cm or greater in size. Depending on its characteristics, there is a good chance it can be repaired as a minimally invasive endovascular procedure not requiring an abdominal incision. If less than 5.0 cm in diameter, the AAA can be followed annually with ultrasound scans. Don't smoke and keep hypertension under control (best antihypertensive medicine for AAA is valsartan).
While early warning symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm may include abdominal pain and a pulsatile feeling in the abdomen, these are not common so the best plan is to begin preventive abdominal ultrasound beginning around age 55 unless there is a family history of AAA. If your ultrasound reveals a normal aortic dimension, repeat evaluation can be deferred for 5 years. Screening ultrasound can be obtained inexpensively through companies such as Lifeline screening and does not require a physician's order.
Htn, back pain, family history, smoking history, should be considered with Aaa
Julia G. Ansari
Cardiologist
Most of the abdominal or thoracic aneurysm can have underlying college vascular disease, bicuspid aortic valve with aortopathy, patient's with poorly controlled Blood pressure and smokers all have a higher risk of developing it. males >60 years old who have been smoker at some point in their life should get an abdominal us to assess for size aneurysm and depending on the underlying medical condition surgery is recommended at different sizes of aneurysm for them. Usually patient have no symptoms to be warned about having one, but if someone has known to have aneurysm that are large and all of a sudden they get back pain and blood pressure drops that could be a sign of ruptured aneurysm. It is very important these patient's have optimal blood pressure control and have regular follow up imaging so they can have elective surgery when it gets to the critical size.
Yes, we can do an easy screen in the office for this. Particularly useful
in men over 60 years of age who have ever smoked. Also, helpful if family
history of any aneurysm.
in men over 60 years of age who have ever smoked. Also, helpful if family
history of any aneurysm.
Juan P. Montoya
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be prevented by high blood pressure and atherosclerosis (calcifications and clots in the artery wall). Signs are a pulsatile mass in your abdomen, pain in your abdomen and back, and family history. Diabetes and smoking are big contributors to this disease. Controlling your blood sugar, your blood pressure and regular check ups are important for preventing catastrophic consequences such as dissection or rupture. Hope this helps!
smoking is the main risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.abdominal aortic aneurysms are much more common in men than woman. The us preventive services task force recommend one time screening with ultrasound in male smokers between 65 and 75 years old.An aneurysm is critical, needing endovascular or surgical repair if it is over 5.4 cm or shows signs of rapid enlargement. Thesigns of a leaking aneurysm would be back pain. If you have concerns you should consult a health care provider
The no. 1 risk factor is cigarette smoking. My vascular surgeon colleague just gave us a lecture on this very thing. He said if you are male over 50 years old, and have smoked 100 cigarettes or more in your life, then you need a screening abdominal aortic ultrasound. A warning sign can be abdominal pain, but there are so many causes of abdominal that most are not due to AAA. These are undetectable in a large minority of patients by physical exam, so either an ultrasound or CT scan are recommended. Unfortunately the first warning sign may be rupture with severe abdominal pain and shock, with mortality rate reaching nearly 90%. This is one screening test (ultrasound) that is worth it. I would quit smoking immediately and control blood pressure well. If the size gets "big", consult a vascular surgeon. A stent graft or open surgery may be needed.
You need to know that the aneurysm is there before you can prevent rupture. Get an abdominal ultra-sound for reassurance. If it is present and small, it should be remeasured periodically by US. If it is increasing in size or 4.5 cm in diameter, it shoud be stented or removed. Risk factors include age, family history, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. The only symptom is pain and then it is usually too late.
Hi, yes always make sure your blood pressure is good (120/70) or less. Also, one may have pain or feel a pulsation in that area. Consider an abdominal catscan (it can be prevented). I can help with more details.
