{"id":6022,"date":"2012-07-12T11:13:44","date_gmt":"2012-07-12T15:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=6022"},"modified":"2012-07-12T11:13:44","modified_gmt":"2012-07-12T15:13:44","slug":"the-abcs-of-aortic-aneurysms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2012\/07\/12\/the-abcs-of-aortic-aneurysms\/","title":{"rendered":"The ABC\u2019s of Aortic Aneurysms"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Joseph V. Lombardi, MD<\/a><\/p>\n

Head, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery<\/a>, Director, Cooper Aortic Center<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You often here the word \u201caneurysm\u201d and immediately think of something bursting and causing stroke or death. While this might be true in some cases, many aneurysms are treatable if caught early. Understanding what aneurysms are and how they are treated are first steps in preventing serious complications of your health.<\/p>\n

An aneurysm is a weakened area of a blood vessel that expands or bulges. Many aneurysms occur in the aorta, the main artery moving blood from your heart to the rest of the body. Most aneurysms are caused by arteriosclerosis, or \u201chardening of the arteries\u201d which weakens the aortic wall, while others can be the result of genetics or trauma. When an aneurysm expands to the point of rupture, severe internal bleeding can occur. If a ruptured aneurysm is not discovered and treated quickly, a patient may not survive.\u00a0 In fact, once an aneurysm ruptures, the mortality can be as high as 90%.<\/p>\n

Aortic aneurysms are most common in men over 60. Also, men and women with risk factors such as cigarette smoking,\u00a0 high blood pressure and high cholesterol all contribute to the chances of developing a life-threatening aneurysm.\u00a0 Furthermore, individuals with a first degree relative who have or had an aortic aneurysm have a 10-15% chance of developing one themselves.<\/p>\n

There are several types of aortic aneurysms:<\/h3>\n