Aortic Aneurysm
Specialty: Cardiology
Overview
An aortic aneurysm occurs when a section of the aorta becomes enlarged or weakened. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Over time, weakness in the vessel wall may cause it to widen or bulge.
Some aneurysms develop slowly and cause no symptoms, while others may become serious if the enlarged area grows or ruptures. Early identification and monitoring are important because treatment decisions are often based on the size, location, and rate of growth of the aneurysm.
With proper assessment and follow-up care, many aneurysms can be monitored safely and treated when necessary.