The aorta is the largest and most important vessel in the human body. The aorta begins in the chest cavity and continues into the peritoneum, having numerous branches along its course, forming smaller vessels. At the very beginning, the diameter of the aorta is about three centimeters, then the vessel narrows and becomes narrower. The aorta consists of three layers - the inner, middle and outer shell.
It is quite clear that any problem with the aorta affects the whole body, since the blood supply to the remaining organs and tissues depends on the condition of the aorta. The most common aortic problem is aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm is first a protrusion in the wall of the vessel, in its most vulnerable place, and then aortic dissection with the reflux of blood between the membranes. The most severe consequence of an aortic aneurysm is rupture of the walls and extensive bleeding that can lead to death.
Aortic aneurysm has several causes. In twenty percent of patients, relatives also had a similar problem, therefore, a hereditary factor is observed here. Another reason is atherosclerosis (damage to the walls of the aorta with the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques on it) and pathology of the connective tissue. Infectious and inflammatory diseases carried by the body cause significant problems to the aorta. Aortic aneurysm can occur due to congenital vascular defects, pathological changes in their structure. Pregnancy in patients with weak vessels can lead to significant trouble - an increasing volume of circulating blood contributes to pressure on the vessels and the appearance of protrusions.
Symptoms of aortic aneurysm are few. That is why the disease is often missed in the initial stages, noticing only much later when dealing with another problem. If the aneurysm has reached considerable size, then it can give shortness of breath or coughing when it presses on the trachea. If the aortic aneurysm is located in the esophagus, then it disrupts the swallowing process - patients feel a lump under the sternum, in the pyloric area. If the aneurysm squeezed the superior vena cava, then the face may swell, the neck becomes puffy and puffy. As a rule, a significant aortic aneurysm provokes an attack of angina pectoris, on which standard cardiac drugs do not act. On this basis, it is already possible to judge not about heart pain, but about the problem of blood vessels.
If the aortic aneurysm is located in the abdominal region, then there are no complaints. Only occasionally, patients notice a pulsation in the abdomen, sometimes pain that radiates to the back or lower back.
As mentioned above, the most terrible rupture of the aortic aneurysm. Since the vessel has a large diameter, it threatens with significant bleeding. The aorta is destroyed gradually, in layers. The cause of aortic dissection is primarily high blood pressure. First, the inner lining of the aorta is violated, then the middle. The very last shell withstands the greatest pressure. In people with a violation of two layers, mortality over the next three months reaches ninety percent. In patients with rupture of the aorta, burning pain is noted at the site of rupture of the vessel, blood pressure drops sharply, which indicates the release of blood outside the circulatory system. Such symptoms are often confused with a heart attack, since the clinical picture is very similar to a heart attack. Aneurysm rupture inevitably leads to death, patients die in a matter of minutes.
Aneurysm of the largest vessel - the aorta - is very insidious. With the prevailing absence of symptoms, it can kill a person in a matter of seconds. It is in order to not become a hostage to this disease, it is necessary from a young age to control your blood pressure, in case of a violation - to be examined, to make an angiogram that can indicate potentially dangerous places. One of the most important conditions for prevention is quitting smoking, alcohol, fatty foods, and a gentle emotional regime. Under these conditions, the disease can be prevented.