Happy Monday everyone! I hope that your new year has been going really well so far, and that you are staying warm in this cold weather. Purab and Samantha have done an outstanding job guiding us through the intricate anatomy of the aorta and even introduced us to some of the diseases that occur in the aorta. Let’s dive deeper into one of those diseases called an aortic aneurysm!
For a moment, imagine a water hose outside of your house. Under normal water volume and pressure, the hose maintains a steady size. However, if you increase the water pressure to the max in the water hose, you would see that the hose would become weaker and thinner leading to a ballooning. This is exactly what happens to the aorta during an aneurysm. According to the Mayo Clinic, if there is continuous high blood pressure, the aortic wall weakens leading to a balloon-like bulge or an aneurysm.
There are 2 different types of aortic aneurysms: a thoracic aortic aneurysm and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. According to the Cleveland Clinic, abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common than thoracic aortic aneurysms because the thoracic aortic wall is thicker. However, both kinds are dangerous because, if left untreated, the aneurysm could rupture leading to a condition known as an aortic dissection. Unfortunately, in many cases, individuals don’t know that they have an aortic aneurysm until an aortic dissection occurs, but it is possible to detect these aneurysms during routine checkups and imaging tests. As a result, it is important, especially if you have a family history of aortic aneurysms, to ask your provider about your chances of developing this condition and ways to detect it!
Thank you so mcuh for tuning into Medical Monday, and I can't wait to talk to you again!
Always Think Aorta,
Sathya
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