Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood away from your heart and to your body. Its shape is often described as a walking cane with a curved handle. An ascending aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulging and weakening in your aorta at the point before the curve.

Aneurysms anywhere in the body are dangerous because they can rupture and cause massive internal bleeding. An ascending aortic aneurysm is particularly serious, that’s because a rupture in this part of the body can be life-threatening.

Causes/Risk Factors

Aneurysms may be caused by anything that weakens the aortic walls, but it’s not crystal clear as to why some people develop an ascending aortic aneurysm, while others don’t. Factors that may increase your risk, can include:

Atherosclerosis: Also known as hardening of the arteries, is the most common cause of an ascending aortic aneurysm. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Aortic Valve Disease: People with aortic valve problems, including a bicuspid aortic valve, may be more likely to experience an ascending aortic aneurysm.
Family history: Your chances may be higher if someone else in your family has had an ascending aortic aneurysm.
Advanced age: An ascending aortic aneurysm usually forms in people in their 60s and 70s.
Genetics: Certain inherited conditions are linked to a higher risk of ascending aortic aneurysms, including: Marfan’s syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Turner syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Infection: Certain untreated infections (such as syphilis or salmonella) can also weaken artery walls.

Symptoms

Some ascending aortic aneurysms never rupture or cause any symptoms. In fact, they’re often diagnosed by fluke, when a routine chest X-ray or other screening reveals a bulge in the aorta. If symptoms are present, they may include:

Dull pain or tenderness in the chest
Cough or hoarseness
Shortness of breath
Pain in the back, jaw, or neck
If the aorta ruptures, you’ll feel a sudden, sharp pain in your chest that extends to your back, between your shoulder blades.

Treatment

Treatment of an ascending aortic aneurysm depends on its size and rate of growth. Doctors usually treat small aneurysms with beta-blockers, a type of medication for high blood pressure. Routine tests will be required to monitor the aneurysm’s progression.

Aneurysms that are large or growing rapidly will require surgical repair. If you have an aneurysm, be sure to follow your doctor’s advice about medications and follow-up exams. An aneurysm can grow without you knowing it, so don’t take any chances.

If left untreated, a rupture can be fatal. Beta blockers that reduce the stress on the wall of the aorta with each heartbeat have been the main stay of therapy.

Prevention

A healthy lifestyle can improve overall health and decrease the risk of developing an ascending aortic aneurysm or another type of aortic aneurysm.

Preventative steps include:

Quitting smoking
Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
Exercising regularly
Managing stress
Maintaining a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy diet (stay away from foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium)
Treating medical conditions that can raise the risk of an aortic aneurysm
People with a higher risk of developing an aortic aneurysm, including those with a family history of the condition, should see their physician regularly for screening tests to monitor the formation of aneurysms.