When the wall of a blood vessel — usually an artery — becomes weakened, it can expand and become thin and fragile. This is called an aneurysm. The more it expands (like a balloon), the greater the risk that it may rupture and cause potentially life-threatening bleeding. At Vascular Care of Texas, our endovascular and vascular surgeons offer advanced diagnosis and treatment for vascular aneurysms, including abdominal aortic aneurysms, thoracic aortic aneurysms and peripheral aneurysms.
People who have an aneurysm often have no symptoms. They may only find out that they have one after it ruptures or through diagnostic screening, such as an ultrasound. Early detection can be lifesaving, as treating an aneurysm before it bursts has a high success rate.
If you have been diagnosed with a vascular aneurysm or want to get screened for one, make an appointment with one of our specialists today by calling (972) 426-9900.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is the most common type of aneurysm. Your aorta is the largest artery in your body and carries blood from your heart to your circulation system. It begins where blood exits the heart and continues through your chest and belly. When the aneurysm occurs in the abdomen — the area between your chest and pelvis, this is an abdominal aortic aneurysm. If the aneurysm occurs higher up, in the chest, it’s a thoracic aortic aneurysm. In some cases, an aortic aneurysm can run through both your chest and abdomen.
While the cause of aortic aneurysms is unclear, some of the risk factors are the same as for all vascular diseases, as listed on our home page. These include age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
Symptoms of aortic aneurysms
Some people will not have any symptoms with an aortic aneurysm. Others may have one or more of these symptoms as the aneurysm expands:
- Breathing problems, shortness of breath
- Feeling of fullness, even if you’ve only eaten small meal
- Pain in the abdomen, chest, groin or back (wherever the aneurysm is growing)
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Swelling in the arms, face or neck
Regular screenings can help detect an aortic aneurysm before it becomes a problem. For certain at-risk patients, Medicare covers abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening at no out-of-pocket cost. Visit their website for more information.
Treatment for aortic aneurysms
Ultrasound is a noninvasive test to determine if you have an aortic aneurysm. We can perform this test right in our office. If an aneurysm is found, your vascular specialist will work closely with you to help manage your condition. Surgical repair for most aneurysms is not required. However, if the aneurysm becomes large enough to warrant repair, your doctor has minimally invasive (endovascular) and traditional (open) surgical options available to offer you the best treatment possible.