Aortic disease is the weakening of the walls of the aorta, the body’s largest artery, which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Aortic disease is a serious condition, so it’s important to take preventative steps (such as a screening) and seek treatment early on. At Vascular and Interventional Specialists, we offer minimally invasive procedures to address aortic disease and help prevent further complications.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of aortic disease, preventative steps, and the treatments we offer to help get you back to normal life.
Aortic Disease can be brought on when certain conditions and/or trauma weaken the aorta. The weakening of the walls of the aorta may lead to aortic aneurysm (bulging) or, in severe cases, dissection (tearing). Aortic aneurysms can occur in the chest (thoracic) or abdomen (abdominal) depending on which part of the blood vessel is affected.
High blood pressure, atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries), genetic conditions, disorders and injury may lead to weakening, causing aortic disease.
It’s important to learn the signs and symptoms to determine severity and work with your provider to understand your risk factors.
Aortic disease can vary in its severity, so symptoms can range from mild discomfort to acute pain. As an aortic aneurysm grows, individuals may notice the following symptoms:
More severe aortic aneurysms may tear or rupture. If you experience the following symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately:
Various risk factors or other conditions may contribute to the risk of developing aortic disease, including:
Taking preventative steps can help mitigate or reduce the incidence of aortic disease. In general, living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining good heart health can help reduce your risk.
The following steps can help prevent aortic disease or reduce your risk of severe complications:
Screening using vascular ultrasound can help identify aortic disease early on and is recommended especially for older individuals (65+), those who have ever smoked, or those with a family history of aortic disease.
If left untreated aortic disease may cause:
Screening and diagnosis for aortic disease are the best way to determine the possibility of treatment. It’s important if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms to seek help to increase the chance of success through treatment.
The type of treatment and frequency of follow-up for aortic disease patients may vary depending on the initial size and severity of the aneurysm. In mild cases, watchful waiting or annual scans may be all that’s needed; in more severe cases, endovascular repair or surgical intervention is necessary.
Here at Vascular and Interventional Specialists, we offer minimally invasive treatments for aortic disease, with less pain and shorter recovery times than more invasive surgeries. Our treatment methods include:
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