Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Aneurysms
Number of Conditions: 3
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Vascular Diseases
Sub-category: Aneurysms
Symptoms:
often asymptomatic; when symptomatic, symptoms may include abdominal or back pain, a pulsating sensation near the navel, and a feeling of fullness.
Root Cause:
Weakening and dilation of the abdominal aorta due to chronic stress on the vessel wall and underlying connective tissue disorders.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound (primary screening tool), CT scan, or MRI to confirm size and location.
Treatment:
Regular monitoring for small aneurysms, lifestyle changes, and surgical repair (open surgery or endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR]) for large or symptomatic aneurysms.
Medications:
Beta-blockers and statins may be used to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of rupture.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1-3% in men over 65 years old; less common in women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, male gender, age >65, family history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and connective tissue disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early detection and management; high mortality if rupture occurs.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rupture, internal bleeding, and death.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Vascular Diseases
Sub-category: Aneurysms
Symptoms:
often asymptomatic; symptoms may include chest or back pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, and signs of compression of nearby structures.
Root Cause:
Weakening of the thoracic aorta due to genetic factors, hypertension, or trauma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Chest X-ray, CT angiography, or MRI.
Treatment:
Monitoring for small aneurysms; surgical repair (open surgery or thoracic endovascular aortic repair [TEVAR]) for large or symptomatic cases.
Medications:
Antihypertensive medications such as beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to reduce stress on the aortic wall.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than AAA; affects 6-10 per 100,000 individuals annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, hypertension, atherosclerosis, smoking, connective tissue disorders, and a family history of aortic disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on size and growth rate; high mortality if rupture occurs.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rupture, aortic dissection, and compression of adjacent structures.
Cerebral Aneurysm
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Vascular Diseases
Sub-category: Aneurysms
Symptoms:
often asymptomatic unless rupture occurs; symptoms of rupture include sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and loss of consciousness.
Root Cause:
Weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein, leading to a balloon-like bulge.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
CT scan, MRI, or cerebral angiography.
Treatment:
Observation for small aneurysms; surgical clipping or endovascular coiling for larger or symptomatic aneurysms.
Medications:
Calcium channel blockers (e.g., nimodipine ) to reduce vasospasm after rupture; anticonvulsants for seizure management.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Found in 2-5% of the general population; rupture risk is low for small aneurysms.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension, smoking, family history, polycystic kidney disease, and connective tissue disorders.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated before rupture; poor if rupture leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rupture, stroke, hydrocephalus, and neurological deficits.