Thoracic Aorta Aneurysm
An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel dilates or widens and a specific thoracic aorta aneurysms involves one of the largest arteries that allows blood to pass from the heart into the body, which is known as the aorta. At the site where the aneurysm occurs, the aorta actually bulges and is weak. The thoracic aorta aneurysm refers through the part of the aorta that leaves your heart and then goes through the chest until it reaches the abdomen.
There are a variety of things that can put you at risk for having a thoracic aneurysm. This can include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking cigarettes, and high cholesterol. Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries is the most likely cause of most of these aneurysms of the aorta.
This problem can lead to a weakening of the wall of the aorta, and where there is weakness, the extra pressure of blood can cause the site that is weak to expand. Of course, there are a variety of other things that can cause aortic aneurysms to occur. Genetics can be a cause, since there seem to be some familial tendency to develop these problems. Trauma to the aorta, mycotic infections, and inflammation of the blood vessels can also cause this to occur.
In many cases, a thoracic aorta aneurysm will not cause symptoms until it is large or it ends up rupturing. In some cases a medical test done for another reason accidentally finds this problem. Back pain and chest pain are the most common symptoms of an aneurysm that is larger, but there are other symptoms to watch out for as well. Unusual feelings in the back or chest can be symptoms of an aneurysms. Chest pain can occur, rapid breathing, sweating, and fast heart rate can occur if the aneurysm ruptures. Some of the other symptoms that may be noticed include nausea, vomiting, and blood clots.
In some cases, a thoracic aorta aneurysm, which is not as common as an abdominal aortic aneurysm, will require surgery to be fixed. However, there are non surgical ways that one of these aneurysms can be managed for patients who are not good candidates for surgical treatment. There are things that can be done to treat the problem and prevent the aneurysm from expanding and rupturing in the future.
- Stop Smoking - Since smoking is one of the causes of these aneurysms in the first place, managing and treating this problem without surgery will require patients to stop smoking.
- Lower High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure also can cause this problem, and in order to keep the aneurysm from rupturing or expanding in the future, high blood pressure has to be controlled and lowered. Lowering high blood cholesterol can also be helpful as a non surgical treatment.
- Medications - In many cases, doctors will use medications to help deal with a thoracic aorta aneurysm. Beta blockers, such as Tenormin, Lopressor, or Inderal may be used because the help to lower the pressure that is inside the blood vessel, which can keep the aneurysm from getting larger or from rupturing.
- Monitoring - Of course, every few months the aneurysms condition must be checked out to ensure that it has not grown or ruptured.
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