The only main tube that carries blood to the body from the heart is known as the aorta and a swelling found here is known as an aortic aneurysm. There are two different kinds and they are thoracic and abdominal. This is considered a very serious condition because it is the largest artery coming off the heart pumping blood to the body. Aortic aneurysm surgery is often needed as a result.

Anyone can develop this type of condition and the cause is unknown however there are some risk factors that could make it even more possible to develop. They are smoking, being male, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, family history, being overweight and emphysema.

There are no symptoms for this problem and it develops slowly over many years. If one balloons rapidly and tears or ruptures there are definitive symptoms of this. Pain in the back or abdominal area that comes on quickly and is severe or constant that radiates into the buttocks, groin area and leg are all symptoms. Feelings of nausea or vomiting, clammy skin, a rapid heartbeat and stroke are serious symptoms and medical attention is required immediately.

An examination will be done by the physician (of the abdomen) to see if there is a mass or to feel whether or not the abdomen is rigid or stiff. He will also check the pulses in that region along with the pulses in the legs. A CT scan and/or an ultrasound test will be administered. These tests are okay to undergo while having these severe symptoms.

An abdominal aortic repair operation will be needed for blood that is found within the body cavity. If no bleeding is present and the protrusion is small a person must decide whether they will have surgery or not. This should be discussed between the physician and the patient. The level of risk is a factor to consider and if the operation is decided against a person should be checked every six months to be sure it is not growing.

An operation is in order if the bulge or mass is greater than 2 inches wide and if it's growing quickly. The best thing to do is to take care of this matter before complications arise and it gets worse. There are two different types of surgery for this problem and they are a traditional repair or an endovascular stent grafting.

An aorta aneurysm has a poor outlook if it has reached the point of rupture. Nearly 80% of those people that suffer rupture do not make it through the aortic aneurysm surgery and die. Complications that may ensue are hypovolemic shock, heart attack, stroke, arterial embolism and kidney failure, To reduce the risk of this happening, a person should eat a high fiber low-fat diet, get plenty of exercise, reduce stress and if the person smokes they should quit. Anyone over the age of 65 who has ever smoked should be checked at least once.