Abdominal Aneurysm is a Time Bomb: Vascular Surgeon Warns of These Silent Signals We All Ignore
Abdominal aneurysm, or abdominal aortic aneurysm, is a widening of the main abdominal artery, which can lead to rupture and fatal bleeding. When this happens, the person loses consciousness and if there is no one nearby to take the patient to the nearest hospital, death occurs. Experts warn that there are usually no symptoms until it grows or ruptures, making preventive examinations crucial to monitor the condition and prevent a fatal outcome. Doc.dr Slobodan Tanasković, head of the Clinic for Vascular Surgery at the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases “Dedinje” speaks about abdominal aneurysm as a "time bomb" in the podcast "Zdravo sa Ivanom".
TL;DR
- An abdominal aneurysm (widening of the abdominal aorta) is a potentially fatal condition that can rupture and cause bleeding.
- There are usually no symptoms until the aneurysm grows or ruptures.
- Preventive check-ups, especially after age 50, are crucial for early detection and monitoring.
- Rupture outside a hospital has a mortality rate of 70-80%.
- Ultrasound examinations can detect aneurysms, often incidentally.
- Symptoms before rupture can include dull back pain (lumbar left or right) and lower abdominal pain.
- A ruptured aneurysm presents with severe back pain, a tense and enlarged abdomen, cold sweats, pallor, and rapid pulse.