How serious is a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a serious health risk because, depending on its location and size, it may rupture or dissect (tear), causing life-threatening internal bleeding. When detected in time, a thoracic aortic aneurysm can often be repaired with surgery or other less invasive techniques.
What are the symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm?
What are the symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or upper back.
- Pain in the chest or back.
- Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath as a result of pressure on the trachea (windpipe)
- Hoarseness as a result of pressure on the vocal cords.
- Trouble swallowing due to pressure on the esophagus.
How long can you live with a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
Patients with AAAs larger than 7.0 cm lived a median of 9 months. A ruptured aneurysm was certified as a cause of death in 36% of the patients with an AAA of 5.5 to 5.9 cm, in 50% of the patients with an AAA of 6 to 7.0 cm, and 55% of the patients with an AAA larger than 7.0 cm.
What is the most common cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm?
The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is hardening of the arteries. This condition is more common in people with high cholesterol, long-term high blood pressure, or who smoke.
What should you avoid with a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurysm, your doctor will likely advise you to avoid heavy lifting and some vigorous physical activities, as these can increase blood pressure, putting additional pressure on your aneurysm.
What should you not do if you have an aortic aneurysm?
DON’T:
- Push, pull, bear down or lift anything heavier than 30 pounds (or 10 pounds for patients recovering from surgery).
- Get a tattoo or body piercing.
- Smoke (or be exposed to secondhand smoke) or use any other tobacco products.
- Shovel snow, chop wood, dig earth or use a sledgehammer or snow blower.
- Take illicit drugs.
Can you exercise with a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
If you have a larger aneurysm and are getting closer to repair, it’s still ok to stay active. These activities are usually safe to do, he says, even with a growing aneurysm: Moderate exercise, like walking, cycling or swimming. Lifting light or medium weights.
Is exercise good for aortic aneurysm?
Exercise is encouraged in people with aortic disease, including aortic aneurysm and chronic aortic dissection. In fact, exercise can be help reverse the processes (eg, atherosclerosis and hypertension) that contribute to aneurysm formation.
What activities should be avoided with aortic aneurysm?
DON’T:
- Push, pull, bear down or lift anything heavier than 30 pounds (or 10 pounds for patients recovering from surgery).
- Get a tattoo or body piercing.
- Smoke (or be exposed to secondhand smoke) or use any other tobacco products.
- Shovel snow, chop wood, dig earth or use a sledgehammer or snow blower.
- Take illicit drugs.
When to repair thoracic aneurysm?
Repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms is usually recommended when they reach 5.5 to 6.0 cm in diameter. In general, the risks of surgery to repair smaller aneurysms outweigh the possible benefits, because smaller aneurysms rarely rupture.
What is the prognosis of an aortic aneurysm?
The prognosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm depends on the size and location of the aneurysm, in addition to various other patient-related factors. The risk of rupture, which in many cases leads to fatality, is mainly determined by aneurysm diameter.
When is surgery for aortic aneurysm?
Routine abdominal aortic aneurysm repair when we do an open, traditional surgical procedure usually requires the patient to come into the operating room on the day of surgery and they are in the hospital usually between five and seven days.
What is aortic aneurysm, what are the symptoms?
Abdominal or back pain,which is sudden,sharp and severe.