Know the Signs of Aneurysm Rupture

Most aortic aneurysms grow silently until they suddenly rupture, which constitutes an emergency at least as life-threatening as a heart attack or stroke. Most Americans are unfamiliar with the signs of rupture, which include:

• • a sudden dramatic drop in blood pressure,
• • a pulsatile mass in the abdomen and
• • any new or unusual pain in the back, groin, testicles, legs or buttocks.

[SOURCE: Gilbert R. Upchurch and Timothy A. Schaub, “Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm,” American Family Physician, April 1, 2006]

Male Siblings Share Aneurysm Risk

Aortic aneurysms tend to run in families, particularly among male siblings. One survey in Ireland found that 12 percent of brothers of aortic aneurysm patients developed an aneurysm.

Males are several times more likely than females to develop aortic aneurysms, and researchers believe this may be due to a sex-linked inheritance pattern. Other risk factors include smoking and a diagnosis of hypertension, high cholesterol, peripheral vascular disease and stenosis of the carotid artery.
[SOURCE: Marge B. Lovell, et al, “A Screening Program To Identify Risk Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms,” Canadian Journal of Surgery, April, 2006]

Smoking Speeds Aneurysm Growth

The faster an aortic aneurysm grows, the greater the risk of a life-threatening rupture. Doctors advise patients to quit smoking altogether, since smoking speeds aneurysm growth by 20 to 25 percent a year. If the patient has tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking, medications or therapy may be necessary. An aortic aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of the body’s main artery that bulges out like a balloon with the pressure of blood flowing through it.
[SOURCE: “A-Z Health Guide from WebMD: Aortic Aneurysm,” last updated June 2, 2004]