Healthy Living Newsletter
Aneurysm - Emergency Waiting to Happen?
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| Most Americans don’t recognize the term aortic aneurysm, and yet it is the 10th leading cause of death in men 65 years of age and older. |
Often striking swiftly and decisively, aortic aneurysm is the tenth leading cause of death for males age 65 and over. Yet most Americans don’t even recognize the term, let alone understand the risk that it presents.
The aorta is the largest blood vessel, delivering oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body. An aneurysm occurs when a portion of this vessel becomes weakened for some reason — an injury, cardiovascular disease or a genetic defect — and bulges out from the pressure of the blood flowing through it.
What’s frightening is that you can have an aortic aneurysm for several years without knowing because it rarely gives out signals until it’s ready to rupture. When a rupture does occur, it’s a major emergency.
Most aortic aneurysms are discovered either too late or by accident — during a scan or examination of the body for other reasons. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Based on results of four large studies, the US Preventive Services Task Force in 2005 recommended one-time aneurysm screening for all men age 65 and over who have ever smoked. Just one screening, it is believed, would virtually eliminate the future risk of death from an aortic aneurysm in these persons.
Males are several times more likely than females to develop an aortic aneurysm. And, heredity is also a major risk factor for both men and women.
Although the concept of aneurysm screening is relatively new, and doctors vary in how strongly they recommend screening and for whom; beginning in January 2007, Medicare will pay for one-time screening for some patients (both men and women age 65 to 74) with a history of smoking or a family history of aneurysm.
For more information about aortic aneurysm risk factors and screening information, talk to your doctor. To locate a vascular specialist near you, visit the “Find a Physician” section of this website.
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