CA
A 46-year-old member asked:
What is an aortic aneurysm?
4 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Francis Uricchioanswered
Cardiology 40 years experience
Large aorta: An aortic aneurysm is an aorta which is larger than it should be. This is typically due weakness of the walls of the aorta. This weakness can be secondary to degenerative change, congenital (born with it) abnormalities of the wall of the aorta, or trauma.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Mario Matos-Cruzanswered
Thoracic Surgery 41 years experience
Weak wall: The aorta is a living pipe. It has 3 layers, the inner layer or intima, the middle layer or media were some muscle like cells dwell and the adventitia rich in collagen fibers. The process of arteriosclerosis may result in slow death of the media which then gets replaced by collagen scar. The pressure inside the aorta and the wall weakness will result in dilatation of the aorta and it could burst.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Joshua Mossanswered
Cardiac Electrophysiology 20 years experience
The aorta: The aorta is the large, main artery that carries blood from the heart. An aneurysm (a portion that dilates or expands to a larger than normal diameter) can occur anywhere along its length, from where it emerges from the heart in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) to where it travels through the abdomen & splits into the iliac arteries (abdominal aortic aneurysm, or aaa) - or anywhere between.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Craig Carteranswered
Thoracic Surgery 42 years experience
Follows the aorta: The aorta starts at the heart (in the chest) extends to the neck, comes down the chest, into the abdomen and divides at the level of the belly button. Most aortic aneurysms are located in the abdomen.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
CA
A 39-year-old member asked:
What is an acute aortic aneurysm?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Francis Uricchioanswered
Cardiology 40 years experience
Dilated aorta: An aortic aneurysm is an aorta which is larger than it is supposed to be. "acute" refers to the sudden onset of symptoms. The aneurysm can cause pain by suddenly enlarging, encroaching on surrounding parts of the chest or abdomen, or rupturing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
What is an infrarenal aortic aneurysm?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Francis Uricchioanswered
Cardiology 40 years experience
Below the kidneys: An infrarenal aortic aneurysm is a dilation of the aorta below the renal (kidney) arteries. This section of the aorta is located in the abdomen.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
What are causes of an aortic aneurysm?
8 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in
Dr. Laura Pakanswered
Vascular Surgery 30 years experience
Several things: About 5% of men over the age of 65 have abdominal aortic aneurysms. Risk factors include: increasing age, male sex, family history of aneurysm (may increase your risk 4-fold), hypertension, and history of smoking. Dissecting aneurysms can be caused by localized damage to to the artery from hypertension or trauma (deceleration or sheering-type injury) or catheter injury from an angiogram.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Is aortic aneurysm inherited?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Fensteranswered
Cardiology 33 years experience
Depends: An aortic aneurysm can be the result of inherited conditions like marfan's syndrome. Conversley, aortic aneurysms may appear 'de novo' in those without a family history and only clinical risk factors such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Since the relationship between genetics and environment is complex, if there is a family history one should always be extra vigilant and monitor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What are the tests for aortic aneurysm?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Crystal Twynhamanswered
General surgery, Breast Surgery, Cancer Surgery, Bariatric (weight loss) surgery, Endocrine surgery, Minimally invasive surgery 35 years experience
Ultrasound: A high quality abdominal ultrasound is the best test to exclude an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Don't delay and get checked out today! good luck!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated May 17, 2018
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