Aortic aneurysms are sometimes referred to as a “silent killer” because they can develop slowly and without obvious symptoms for many years. Unlike heart attacks or strokes, which are widely recognized, this condition often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. An aortic aneurysm occurs when the wall of the aorta—the body’s largest artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body—weakens and begins to bulge.
There are two main types of aortic aneurysms: thoracic, which occur in the chest, and abdominal, which appear in the section of the aorta that runs through the abdomen. The most common is the abdominal aortic aneurysm, particularly in the section below the kidneys. Doctors usually diagnose an aneurysm when the aorta measures larger than normal—over 4.5 centimeters in the chest or over 3 centimeters in the abdomen.
Although the exact cause is not always clear, several factors can increase the risk. These include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history of the condition, and age—especially in men over 65. Doctors recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure to lower the chances of developing an aneurysm.
Because the condition often shows no early warning signs, many people only discover it during tests for unrelated health issues. In severe cases, symptoms such as sudden, intense abdominal or chest pain, difficulty breathing, or pain in the back may signal an emergency. Treatment depends on the size and severity of the aneurysm, ranging from regular monitoring and medication to surgery for larger cases that may be at risk of rupturing.