What are the Chances of Surviving an Aortic Aneurysm?
Previously, due to lack of proper medical facilities, the survival rate of an aortic aneurysm was quite low making it a fatal disease. Nowadays, with the medical advancement the survival rates of the patients with aortic aneurysm have improved considerably. The relative rate of survival has gone up to 87 percent. Although early detection may increase the chances of survival, it is seen that the patients who have undergone surgery for a ruptured aortic aneurysm lived on an average of five years post-surgery.
How is the Screening Of Aortic Aneurysm Done?
It is not really possible to prevent the occurrence of aortic aneurysm if a patient is at high risk of it, but if diagnosed early the treatment options may help stop the growth of the aortic aneurysm and further prevent it from rupturing. Since aortic aneurysm may not show up definite symptoms initially, it is important for the patient to go for routine screening. The doctor may ask a patient to go for routine screening in case-
Smoking Habit: The patient has a habit of smoking and falls in the age range of around 65 years to 75 years.
Family History: The patient has a history of aneurysm running in his family line. This is because heredity plays an important role in developing aortic aneurysm.
Screening tests may sometimes prove to be beneficial in early diagnosis of the aortic aneurysm disease so that proper care can be taken at the earliest.
How to Manage Life with Aortic Aneurysm?
Once an aortic aneurysm is diagnosed, the patient should become cautious about his health in order to prevent the rapid growth and rupture of the aneurysm.
Treatment Plan: If the patient is diagnosed to have aortic aneurysm it is important that he follows the treatment plan without fail. A condition like this should never be underestimated as an emergency condition may prove to be fatal. Thus, medical care should be provided as soon as possible and patient should properly follow the procedures.
Take Medicines: The medicines prescribed by the doctor should be taken as mentioned. Such medicines primarily aim at keeping the patient’s B.P or blood pressure level at check removing any form of pressure from the blood vessels and aorta. This is important as it helps in lowering the risk of the rupture of the aortic aneurysm, which is dangerous.
Restrictions: The patient may be asked to stop lifting heavy materials and avoid any kind of work that may demand physical exertion. The patient may have to switch jobs in case the job requires any form of lifting heavy weights.
Stress Management: Stress management is essentially important for a patient with aortic aneurysm. Stress may increase the pressure in the blood vessels, which may further damage them making the aortic aneurysm more susceptible to rupture. This, any form of emotional crisis should be controlled and avoided as much as possible. Care takers should be primarily responsible for this.
Lifestyle Changes: In case a patient is diagnosed with a small aortic aneurysm, the doctor may not prescribe any definite medical treatment for this. Nevertheless, the patient should be cautious because aortic aneurysms tend to grow at a very fast rate without showing up any symptoms. Thus few changes in the mode of lifestyle of the patient should be brought.
- Mayo Clinic. Aortic Aneurysm. (2021). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20369472
- Cleveland Clinic. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. (2021). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17673-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-aaa
- Society for Vascular Surgery. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). (2021). https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-aaa
- Circulation. 2018;138:e1–e34. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558
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