Matters of the Heart
The word aneurysm can bring to surface frightful images and words like brain, heart and lung may float through your mind. Though most of us are familiar with the word, most of us don`t know what an aneurysm is. An aneurysm, by definition, is a permanent ballooning in the wall of an artery. The pressure of blood passing through can force part of a weakened artery to bulge outward, forming a thin-skinned blister.
Aneurysms can develop pretty much anywhere in the body where there is a weak blood vessel, but usually they form in the abdominal or thoracic (pronounced the-`ra-sik) portions of the aorta (pronounced a-ort-a). These are the main blood vessels that carry blood from the heart or into the arteries to nourish the brain. Aneurysms in any of the above mentioned places pose serious health hazards, while those in more outlying locations, like the leg, are not as much of a threat. Often times aneurysms develop as a result of a disease called Atherosclerosis, also called the hardening of the arteries. This silent and progressive disease is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries and is the leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.
When it comes to aneurysms the worst case scenario is the worst imaginable--death.If an aneurysm bursts it can cause a stroke or life-threatening massive hemorrhage (bleeding). Only if the patient is treated within minutes of a rupture will they have any chance of survival. Even if an aneurysm doesn`t rupture it still poses a serious threat as it can impede circulation and contribute to the formation of blood clots. If you are concerned about your risk of developing an aneurysm because you have a family history of it, or other risk factors--like smoking or being overweight--speak with your doctor and visit:www.heart.org/HEARTORG/