What is an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to abnormally balloon out or widen.
The causes of aneurysms are sometimes unknown. Some people are born with them. They can also be hereditary. Aortic disease or an injury may also cause an aneurysm.
A family history of aneurysm may increase your risk for developing an aneurysm. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, 高胆固醇 和 烟草的使用.
Aneurysms can occur in any artery, but the most common are:
- 主动脉瘤 occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the body.
- 脑动脉瘤 occurs in an artery of the brain.
- Popliteal artery aneurysm occurs in the artery behind the knee.
- Mesenteric artery aneurysm occurs in the artery that supplies blood to the intestine.
- Splenic artery aneurysm occurs in an artery of the spleen.
Learn more about the different types of aneurysms.
Symptoms 和 diagnosis
Aneurysms can develop over many years 和 often have no symptoms.
If an aneurysm exp和s quickly or ruptures, symptoms can vary based on the location 和 may develop suddenly. Depending on the site of the aneurysm, symptoms can include:
- 头疼
- Pain in the abdomen or back
- Pulsating abdominal mass
- Blue coloration (cyanosis) of lower extremities
- 头晕
- 视觉变化
- 混乱
- 乏力
- 声音沙哑
- Difficulty swallowing
- High-pitched breathing sound
- Swelling in the neck
- Chest or upper back pain
- Nausea 和 vomiting
- Sense of impending doom
- Shock (low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, clammy skin, decreased awareness)
Your health care professional can use an 血管造影, 核磁共振成像, CT扫描 or ultrasound test to diagnose an aneurysm.
Treatment 和 prevention
An aneurysm can become a medical emergency. Call 911 or your local emergency number 和 seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know is having aneurysm signs 和 symptoms.
If you’ve been diagnosed with an unruptured aneurysm, work with your health care professional to monitor any changes to the aneurysm. Your condition may require regular checkups depending on the aneurysm’s size 和 location.
Some aneurysms may require surgery to reinforce the artery wall with a stent. When the aneurysm has ballooned out the side of the blood vessel, a clip or coiling procedure may close off the area.
降低风险
To lower your risks for an aneurysm, maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your life. Some steps include:
