Aortic aneurysms, the silent killer

Aortic aneurysms, often asymptomatic, are the third leading cause of sudden cardiac death, experts have said, stressing the need to increase awareness of the deadly heart condition.

Aortic aneurysms are swelling of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the entire body. They affect about 2 to 3% of the population, but the risk increases with certain factors such as atherosclerosis (buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels), high blood pressure and generic deficiency in some patients.

“Aortic aneurysms are a critical but under-recognized health problem that ranks third among the leading causes of sudden cardiac death, just behind heart attacks and cardiac arrests,” Niranjan Hiremath, senior consultant, cardiovascular and aortic surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS, adding, “When the wall of the aorta weakens, it can expand up to two or even three times its normal diameter, creating a significant risk of sudden rupture, which can result in immediate death, or lead to aortic dissections, another serious complication.”

In India, awareness of cardiac risks focuses mainly on heart attacks and cardiac arrests, but the dangers posed by aortic aneurysms have not received comparable attention.

“The lack of awareness is concerning, especially since nearly 75% of aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic and go unnoticed until they present as a sudden, life-threatening emergency. These aneurysms are often discovered incidentally during investigations for other conditions,” Niranjan said.

“Most intact aortic aneurysms do not produce any symptoms. As they grow, symptoms such as abdominal and back pain may appear. If left untreated, aneurysms tend to grow progressively larger and can lead to life-threatening complications,” added Shiv Choudhary, Executive Director – Adult Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi.

Aneurysms can develop in any segment of the aorta, but they most commonly affect the abdominal aorta. Experts noted that genetic predispositions, trauma or infections, and smoking can also contribute to the risk of aortic aneurysms.
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“This weakens the wall of the aorta and eventually leads to aortic rupture. If rupture occurs, massive internal bleeding occurs and unless treated immediately, shock and death can occur. The other fatal complication is aortic dissection. During dissection, the layers of the aortic wall tear. This can lead to poor perfusion of the brain or visceral organs or eventual rupture. In both cases, emergency intervention is warranted,” Shiv said.
IANS