What Is an Aortic Aneurysm?

Your heart works tirelessly to pump fuel to your body, relying on a complex network of vessels to deliver oxygen where you need it most. At the center of this system lies a crucial vessel that demands our attention and care. Understanding how this vessel works, and what happens when it weakens, empowers you to take an active role in your cardiovascular health.

What is the aorta?

We often think of the heart as the primary player in circulation, but the aorta plays an equally vital role. It stands as the body’s largest artery. This impressive vessel is cane-shaped, measuring more than 12 inches long and reaching up to an inch thick at its widest point. Because of its size and structure, it acts as the central trunk of your circulatory system.

What does the aorta do?

Think of the aorta as the main superhighway of your body. Its specific job involves transporting oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. It ensures every organ and tissue gets the fuel necessary to function correctly. Because the aorta plays such a central role in your survival, any issue with this vessel creates significant health concerns that require expert management.

Where is the aorta located?

This large vessel begins in the lower-left part of the heart. From there, it arches up and travels down through the chest and into the abdomen. Its path allows it to branch off into smaller arteries that feed blood to your head, arms, legs and internal organs.

What is an aortic aneurysm?

While the aorta is muscular, large and highly elastic, it faces challenges. In some people, the wall of the aorta stiffens and weakens over time. This weakness allows the pressure of the blood to push outward, causing the artery wall to bulge or "balloon."
We call this condition an aortic aneurysm. It represents one of the most common problems affecting this major blood vessel.

These aneurysms happen in the chest, abdomen or both. Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur most frequently. Often, these develop silently. Many patients experience no symptoms, and doctors frequently discover the issue during imaging tests for unrelated health matters.

What causes aortic aneurysm?

A healthy aortic wall expands and contracts with every heartbeat. However, specific conditions damage this flexibility. Atherosclerosis, often called "hardening of the arteries," causes the wall to become stiff or weak. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels act as major contributors to atherosclerosis.
Genetics also play a role. Connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, increase the risk for aneurysm formation.

Other key risk factors include:

• Smoking: This is a major preventable risk factor.
• Age: The risk increases for those over age 65.
• Gender: Men develop aneurysms more often than women.
• Family history: Genetics influence your likelihood of developing this condition.

How common are aortic aneurysms?

You are not alone if you face this diagnosis. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, doctors diagnose approximately 200,000 people in the United States with an abdominal aortic aneurysm each year. It currently stands as the 10th leading cause of death for men in the U.S. These statistics highlight why awareness and proactive screening remain essential.

When is aortic aneurysm serious?

We treat small aneurysms that show no signs of growth with careful monitoring, lifestyle changes and medications like beta-blockers or statins. However, the situation becomes critical if the aneurysm grows too large.

A large aneurysm poses the risk of bursting or rupturing. This event constitutes a medical emergency causing severe pain, internal bleeding and shock. An untreated rupture often proves fatal.

Additionally, a growing aneurysm leads to a risk of aortic dissection. This occurs when the artery wall tears. Blood leaks between the layers of the wall, narrowing the artery and reducing blood flow to vital organs. The pressure of blood building up within the wall layers also increases the risk of rupture.

What is a mildly dilated ascending aorta?

You might hear your doctor use the phrase "mildly dilated ascending aorta." This term simply applies when the first part of the aorta measures slightly larger than normal.

A normal aorta measures just under 2.5 to 3 centimeters in diameter. If measurements reach 3.8 to 3.9 centimeters, we classify it as a mildly dilated ascending aorta.

It typically does not require immediate surgery. Instead, we monitor the condition closely and manage risk factors like high blood pressure to prevent further growth.

What is a dilated aorta?

Medical terminology can sometimes feel confusing. "Aortic dilation" serves as a general term for any instance where the aorta widens beyond its normal size. In contrast, an "aneurysm" specifically refers to the bulge itself. Understanding the distinction helps you better understand your specific diagnosis and treatment plan.

How do you treat an aortic aneurysm?

We tailor treatment plans based on the size and location of the aneurysm, as well as your specific risk factors.

For small aneurysms, healthy lifestyle changes often suffice. We focus on treating conditions that raise the risk for rupture, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease and high cholesterol.

For larger aneurysms, we generally rely on two types of surgical intervention:

• Open surgical repair: Surgeons remove the damaged section of the aorta and replace it with a graft sewn securely into place.
• Endovascular repair: This minimally invasive option involves placing a catheter into an artery in the groin. Your doctor guides it to the aorta and deploys a mesh tube (also known as a “stent”) at the aneurysm site. This mesh expands, reinforcing the weakened area of the aneurysm and preventing rupture.

By partnering with a trusted medical team, you can manage aortic health effectively and continue to live a full, active life.

Take the next step in understanding your treatment options. Learn more about the expert care and advanced treatments available at the Ochsner Aortic Center.