Published by Business Today

Swelling generally occurs due to an infection or an increased flow of white blood cells to the injured area, which can lead to serious consequences if not treated.

National Heart Institute (IJN) Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon Dr. Ismaziz Zaharuddin told BusinessToday recently that a life-threatening situation can arise if swelling occurs in the aorta.

The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to crucial parts of the body, including the abdomen, pelvis, and legs, extending from the heart.

“An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the wall of the aorta weakens, leading to a balloon-like dilation, known as an aneurysm.
“The potential causes include various factors that weaken the artery walls, with high blood pressure and atherosclerosis being significant contributors,” said Dr. Ismaziz.

Additionally, a family history of aneurysms increases the likelihood of developing this condition by twelve times.

Those at higher risk of being diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm are typically men over 60 who are smokers, have high cholesterol levels, or suffer from hypertension.

This condition requires close monitoring and treatment to prevent further weakening of the artery walls.

Monitoring the size of the aneurysm is crucial. If it is small and asymptomatic, careful monitoring is needed to determine if treatment is required. If the aneurysm is large and symptomatic, treatment is necessary, he added.

The primary treatments are open surgery and endovascular repair, the latter involving the insertion of a stent graft through an artery in the groin. An abdominal aortic aneurysm can become life-threatening if it continues to expand and eventually ruptures.

Although AAA is often asymptomatic, symptoms may develop over time, including pain in the abdomen, lower back, groin, and chest, which can interfere with daily activities.

Timely treatment is essential to prevent long-term medical complications and improve the mortality rate, allowing patients to lead healthier lives.

After treatment, patients must monitor for any complications.

“Before any procedure, doctors will discuss potential risks with patients, providing detailed information about the two main treatment options: open surgery and endovascular repair,” he added.