DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Cardiac Disease

Aortic Aneurysm

HIGH SEVERITY

A bulge or ballooning in the wall of the aorta, the body's main artery. Can occur in the chest (thoracic) or abdomen (abdominal). Life-threatening if it ruptures. Often asymptomatic until complications occur. Associated with atherosclerosis, hypertension, and genetic conditions.

Global Affected

15.0M

Countries

89

Symptoms

Often asymptomatic
Pulsating feeling in abdomen
Deep pain in abdomen/chest
Back pain
Cough
Hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing
Shortness of breath
Sudden severe pain (rupture warning)

Treatment Options

Watchful waiting (small aneurysms)
Blood pressure medications
Statins
Open surgical repair
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)
Thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR)
Lifestyle modifications
Regular imaging surveillance

Risk Factors

1Age (>65)
2Male gender
3Smoking history
4Hypertension
5Atherosclerosis
6Family history
7Marfan syndrome
8Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
9Bicuspid aortic valve
10Previous aortic dissection

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Abdominal ultrasound (screening)
  • 2CT angiography (CTA)
  • 3MR angiography (MRA)
  • 4Chest X-ray (may show calcification)
  • 5Echocardiogram (thoracic)
  • 6Physical exam (palpable mass)

Prognosis

Good with surveillance and timely repair. 5-year survival >80% after repair. Rupture has 80-90% mortality. Regular monitoring essential for unoperated small aneurysms.

Prevention

  • Blood pressure control
  • Smoking cessation
  • Cholesterol management
  • Regular exercise
  • Healthy diet
  • Screening for at-risk individuals
  • Genetic counseling (if hereditary)

Research Status

Surgical repair for large aneurysms (>5.5cm abdominal, >5.0cm thoracic). Endovascular repair (EVAR/TEVAR) is minimally invasive option. Blood pressure control critical. Statin therapy recommended. Screening for high-risk populations (ultrasound for men 65-75 who smoked).

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/aortic_aneurysm.htm
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-aneurysm
  • https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/aortic-aneurysm

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.