- Abdominal Aneurysm - The Smoking Facts About Aorta Aneurysm
What is an abdominal aneurysm?
The smoking facts show that one of the dangers of cigarette smoking is atherosclerosis disease which can lead to
weakening of the walls of major blood vessels.
An aorta aneurysm is when this weakness occurs in the large blood vessel
that leaves the heart. If an aorta aneurysm ruptures, death occurs rapidly because of the large volume of
blood that is lost.
Arteries are shown in the picture in red. The aorta is an artery and the largest blood vessel in the body. It provides the channel for
fresh oxygenated blood to leave the heart and be distributed to the rest of the body.
Anatomically, the
aorta comes out of the heart and divides into branches that deliver blood to the upper and lower body.
One of these main branches delivering blood and its vital nutrients to the lower body runs down the length of the back just in front of the spine.
What is an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when the walls of the blood vessel become too weak to maintain the original structure of the aorta.
As a result the blood vessel gradually stretches out.
Just as a tire can explode if it is too weak to withstand the pressure of the air pumped into it,
an aneurysm can also rupture if the walls becomes so thin they cannot withstand the pressure of the blood within it.
Labelling Aorta Aneurysms
A thoracic aortic aneurysm is when the weakness occurs in the aorta
section that is in the chest area just behind the heart.
When the aneurysm occurs further down in the abdominal area it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm and sometimes it is shortened to
"AAA".
An aneurysm could also occur in the blood vessels that go to the brain. This would be called a brain aneurysm.
Smoking Facts About an Abdominal Aneurysm
"AAA" is one of the possible dangers of cigarette smoking, especially if you add that to some of the other risk factors.
if you are a smoker and a man you already have two risk factors for an "AAA". Smoking has a profound negative effect on the
blood vessels and contributes to atherosclerosis disease and
men are five times more likely than women to develop an aneurysm.
if you are over 65 you have added a third risk factor as they tend to occur more in people over 65 years of age.
a family history also increases your risk.
So smoking, gender, age, and family history are the 4 main risk factors identified for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm
More Smoking Facts about Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
symptoms are almost non existent. Many people have an abdominal aneurysm developing and do not even know it.
If there are any symptoms it is usually pain and if the aneurysm is developing rapidly the pain can be severe.
Usually it is felt in the back but sometimes also in the abdominal area.
90% of all aorta aneurysms are in the abdominal area and occur just below the level of the renal arteries.
about 80% of all aneurysms are the direct result of atherosclerosis disease or hardening of the arteries.
The purpose of the information provided here is to help you cooperate with your doctor and other
health practitioners. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice and you are encouraged to
discuss health concerns with your physician or a professional health care provider who is
familiar with you and your unique personal health context.
