A Potentially Fatal Effect of Cardiovascular
Disease - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Heart disease and stroke are recognized by the public as important signs of cardiovascular disease. Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Radiologist, Benjamin Roach, M.D., states, another potentially fatal symptom of cardiovascular disease and the effects of hardening of the arteries is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). “Approximately one in every 250 people over the age of 50 will die of a ruptured AAA,” Dr. Roach said.

Usually discovered by accident in a physician's office, an aortic aneurysm is a weak or damaged area of the aorta - the body’s largest artery. “As blood flows through the aorta, the weak area bulges like a balloon and forms an aneurysm,” Dr. Roach explained. If this bulging becomes too large, it may burst or rupture causing a life-threatening situation that requires immediate emergency care. Fortunately, when an AAA is diagnosed early it can be successfully treated and rupture is prevented.

The Vascular Center at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital is equipped with superior technology to determine if an aneurysm is present. By utilizing special tools and computer imaging, the center’s specialized professionals can examine the body’s arteries and diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“Treatment is then planned based on the size of the aneurysm and its relationship to other arteries within the body,” Dr. Roach said. “Aneurysms exceeding a diameter set by your primary care physician will require surgery. Small aneurysms may require no immediate treatment other than checking the aneurysm regularly to be certain it does not grow.”

AAA can affect anybody, but most commonly occurs in men between the ages of 40 and 70. Even children can develop them as a result of trauma or certain medical conditions.

Contributing factors include:

• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation or infection
• Cigarette smoking

Lifestyle Adjustments

When you are dealing with a cardiovascular disease it is imperative to change certain habits which contribute to deteriorating your health status. Limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, lowering the amount of cholesterol and salt in your diet, exercising, and losing weight can help.

If you are affected by these risk factors, please speak with your physician about detection and early treatment methods now available at the OLBH Vascular Center. If you do not have a family physician, please contact the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273) for a family physician referral.