Aneurysm
HeartCare Associates of Connecticut
Cardiovascular Specialists located in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven & Wallingford, CT
An aneurysm, which creates a bulge or ballooning of a segment of a blood vessel, doesn’t always cause symptoms but can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding if the artery bursts. The team of cardiovascular specialists at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut offers advanced testing and treatment for aneurysms to reduce your risk of serious health complications. To schedule an evaluation today, contact the office in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven, or Wallingford, Connecticut, or use the online booking tool.
Aneurysm Q & A
What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when there’s a weakening in the wall of your artery, which causes a bulging or ballooning in the weak spot. If an aneurysm grows too large, it can burst, leading to a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention.
Aneurysms can develop anywhere in your body. The most common include:
- Aortic aneurysm (heart)
- Cerebral aneurysm (brain)
- Mesenteric artery aneurysm (intestines)
- Splenic artery aneurysm (spleen)
- Popliteal artery aneurysm (behind the knee)
You may be at risk of developing an aneurysm if they run in your family, you’re a smoker, or you have a history of hypertension or high cholesterol.
What are aneurysm symptoms?
Aneurysms tend to grow slowly over time and don’t usually cause symptoms. However, you may notice swelling or bulging if your aneurysm occurs near the surface of your skin.
Aneurysm symptoms can occur if your bulge grows quickly or bursts; these symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Shock
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, emergency medical care is needed immediately.
How is an aneurysm diagnosed?
Your primary care physician may incidentally find an aneurysm during your annual wellness exam. To diagnose an aneurysm, the cardiovascular experts at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut use advanced diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan, ultrasound, or angiogram.
What are aneurysm treatments?
Treatment for your aneurysm depends on the location and the size. In many cases, your HeartCare Associates of Connecticut specialist may take a wait-and-see approach, scheduling regular follow-ups for monitoring of the aneurysm.
They may also prescribe medications to help control blood pressure or blood cholesterol levels to prevent the worsening of your aneurysm.
Your specialist may also suggest surgical intervention so they can treat your aneurysm early before it causes serious problems. Surgery may include placement of a stent or coil, which are devices that reinforce the artery wall to protect it from rupturing.
Ruptured aneurysms require immediate surgical intervention to repair the damaged artery and stop the bleeding.
To schedule an evaluation with a cardiovascular specialist to discuss your aneurysm treatment options, call HeartCare Associates of Connecticut or click the online booking button today.