Asymptomatic condition: Aortic aneurysm is the third most common cause of sudden cardiac death
Aortic aneurysms, which are often asymptomatic, are the third most common cause of sudden cardiac death, experts said, stressing the need to raise awareness of this deadly heart disease.
An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta, a large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the entire body.
About 2-3% of the population is affected, but the risk increases with certain factors, such as arteriosclerosis (accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels), high blood pressure and, in some patients, a shortage of generic drugs.
“Aortic aneurysms are a critical but under-recognized health problem and are considered the third leading cause of sudden cardiac death, just behind heart attacks and cardiac arrest,” said Niranjan Hiremath, senior consultant cardiovascular and aortic surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi.
“As the aortic wall weakens, it can expand to two or even three times its normal diameter, creating a significant risk of sudden rupture, which can cause immediate death or result in aortic dissection, another serious complication,” he added.
In India, cardiovascular risk education focuses primarily on heart attacks and cardiac arrest, but the dangers of aortic aneurysms do not receive the same level of attention.
“This lack of awareness is concerning, especially considering that approximately 75 percent of aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic and go undetected 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 cause any symptoms. As they grow larger, symptoms such as abdominal and back pain may occur. If left untreated, aneurysms tend to grow larger and can cause life-threatening complications,” added Shiv Choudhary, Executive Director – Adult Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, New Delhi.
Aneurysms can occur in any part of the aorta, but the abdominal aorta is most commonly affected. The experts pointed out that genetic predispositions, trauma or infections, and tobacco consumption can also increase the risk of aortic aneurysms.
It “weakens the wall of the aorta and eventually leads to aortic rupture. Rupture causes massive internal bleeding and if not treated immediately, shock and death can occur. The other fatal complication is aortic dissection. Dissection involves the splitting of the layers of the aortic wall. This can lead to impaired blood flow to the brain or internal organs or eventually to rupture. In both situations, emergency intervention is required,” Shiv Choudhary told IANS.
Open surgery was earlier the common mode of treatment. However, recently there has been a paradigm shift towards minimally invasive techniques of endovascular stenting which are associated with low risk, minimal morbidity and low mortality, (Surg Cmde) VS Bedi, NM Chairman & Senior Consultant Institute of Vascular & Endovascular Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital New Delhi, told IANS.
“The aneurysms must be treated once the aorta increases in size by more than 5 cm, as an increase of more than 6 cm can lead to a sudden leak or rupture, which can be fatal,” the doctor added.
Experts also advise patients with this condition to strictly control their blood pressure and to avoid any form of tobacco. Patients diagnosed with an aneurysm should avoid intense physical exercise and isometric exercises, but can go for walks and do light aerobic exercises.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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