Congenital heart defects in children - Diagnosis and treatment
Behind-the-knee Swelling Can Be More Serious Than A Baker's Cyst
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Overview Of An Aneurysm
An aneurysm occurs when an artery's wall weakens and causes an abnormally large bulge.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while veins bring blood back to the heart and lungs. This bulge can rupture and cause internal bleeding. Although an aneurysm can develop in any part of your body, they're most common in the:
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It begins at the left ventricle of the heart and travels down the abdomen where it splits off into both legs. The aorta is a common site for arterial aneurysms.
Other more common areas where an aneurysm may occur include the:
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, aortic aneurysms are responsible for about 13,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Although the exact cause of an aneurysm is unclear, certain factors contribute to the condition.
For example, damaged tissue in the arteries can play a role. Blockages, such as fatty deposits, can harm the arteries. These deposits can trigger the heart to pump harder than necessary to push blood past the fatty buildup. This added stress due to the increased pressure can damage the arteries.
Atherosclerotic disease
Atherosclerotic disease can also lead to an aneurysm. People with atherosclerotic disease have a form of plaque buildup in their arteries. Plaque is a hard substance composed of cholesterol, fat, and other substances that damages the arteries and prevents blood from flowing freely.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure may also cause an aneurysm. The force of your blood as it travels through your blood vessels is measured by how much pressure it places on your artery walls. If the pressure increases above a normal rate, it may enlarge or weaken the blood vessels.
Blood pressure for an adult is considered normal at or below 120/80 mm Hg, or millimeters of mercury.
A significantly higher blood pressure can increase the risk for heart, blood vessel, and circulation problems. However, higher-than-normal blood pressure doesn't necessarily put you at risk for an aneurysm.
Other risk factors
The type of aneurysm that can affect you depends on specific risk factors. Males are more likely to have aneurysms than females. People 65 and older are also at a higher risk. Other factors may include:
Symptoms of an aneurysm vary with each type and location. It's important to know that aneurysms that occur in the body or brain generally don't present signs or symptoms until they rupture.
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm
Aneurysms that occur near the surface of the body may show signs of swelling and pain. A large mass may also develop. The symptoms of ruptured aneurysm vary, based on its location.
Cerebral aneurysm
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm in the brain begin with a sudden and excruciating a headache. Other symptoms may include:
Aortic aneurysm
Symptoms of an aortic aneurysm depend on whether it occurs in the chest or the abdomen.
When a thoracic aortic aneurysm ruptures, symptoms may include:
An abdominal aortic aneurysm that ruptures may cause the following symptoms:
Medical emergency
Serious complications from aneurysms can cause death if you don't get emergency care. Call 911 or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room if you experience the following symptoms:
This is especially important if you know you have an aneurysm. If you've been diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm that hasn't burst, you should have a procedure to prevent sudden rupture. In some cases, aneurysms in the aorta and elsewhere in the body may be treated with medications and monitored if they don't appear to be at high risk of rupturing soon.
What is a leaking aneurysm?
Blood can escape an aneurysm without it rupturing. A leaking aneurysm occurs when a small amount of blood is discharged through the thinning wall of the artery. This event is sometimes known as a "sentinel bleed" because it often precedes a more significant aneurysm rupture.
Symptoms of a leaking aneurysm are similar to those of a ruptured aneurysm, though they may not be as severe. A leaking aneurysm in the brain can sometimes trigger what is called a "sentinel headache," a warning sign that a potentially fatal cerebral hemorrhage may be developing soon.
The diagnostic tools used to find arterial damage often depend on the location of the problem.
Most cerebral aneurysms are found incidentally, often when brain imaging is used to look for other conditions, such as a concussion. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist like a cardiothoracic or vascular surgeon.
A CT scan and ultrasound are common imaging tests used to diagnose or find blood vessel irregularities. CT scans use X-rays to examine the inside of your body. This allows your doctor to see the condition of the blood vessels, as well as any blockages, bulges, and weak spots that may be inside the blood vessels.
Treatment typically depends on the location and type of aneurysm.
For example, a weakened area of a vessel in your chest and abdomen may require a type of surgery called an endovascular stent graft. This minimally invasive procedure may be used over traditional open surgery because it involves repairing and reinforcing damaged blood vessels. The procedure also reduces the chance of infection, scarring, and other problems.
Other treatments can include medications that treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Certain types of beta-blockers may also be prescribed to lower blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure may keep your aneurysm from rupturing.
Eating a nutrient-rich diet containing plenty of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables may help prevent an aneurysm from forming. Meat and poultry low in saturated fat and cholesterol are also good protein options. Low fat dairy products are also beneficial.
Incorporating regular exercise into your routine, especially cardio, can encourage healthy blood circulation and blood flow through the heart, arteries, and other blood vessels.
If you smoke tobacco products, consider quitting. Eliminating tobacco can decrease your risk of an aneurysm. Quitting can be challenging, but a healthcare professional can help you build a cessation plan that works for you and connect you with other supportive resources.
Scheduling annual checkups is another way to be proactive about helping prevent an aneurysm. It's also a way to help promote overall health and well-being.
An aneurysm is a bulge that forms in the thinning wall of an artery. Two of the most common and potentially life threatening locations for an aneurysm are the brain (cerebral aneurysm) and the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body.
If an aneurysm ruptures, it is a medical emergency. Though an aneurysm can't always be prevented, taking steps such as maintaining a healthy blood pressure, quitting smoking, and scheduling annual checkups can help lower your risks.
What Is The Location Of The Popliteal Pulse?
Your popliteal pulse is one of several places on your body where you can easily check your heart rate. The location of the popliteal pulse is the soft spots behind your knees.
Your popliteal pulse can help you monitor your health in several ways. Doctors might use it to help them diagnose and treat health problems and injuries.
Your popliteal pulse is caused by your heartbeat. Your heart pumps blood through your body, and your arteries pulse as your blood flows through them. The popliteal pulse is named after your popliteal artery. This is an important blood vessel that carries blood down through your leg to your feet.
Most arteries are hard to find because they're deep inside your body. But your popliteal artery is easy to find and feel when you know where to look. It has to run through your knee without getting pinched.
So the location of your popliteal pulse is behind your knee. This keeps the artery out of the way of the bones and tendons in the soft tissue.
It's easy to check your popliteal pulse yourself. Simply do the following:
How hard you need to press to find your pulse depends on many things. You may have to press harder to find it if you have health conditions that make your pulse weak or if you have a lot of muscle or fat tissue in your legs. You can also check your pulse in your neck or wrist to know what rhythm you're looking for.
Your doctor will usually check your pulse with your wrist (your radial pulse) or your neck (your carotid pulse). These are easier to find and less likely to be blocked by your clothing. Sometimes your doctor will need to check the pulse in your leg to see how well your blood is flowing there.
Your doctor might check your popliteal pulse when checking for the following conditions.
Knee or leg injuries. You might have injured your popliteal artery if you've had an injury like a dislocated knee. Checking the pulse there can help your doctor learn whether you've suffered a popliteal artery rupture. This rupture can be very dangerous if it's not treated quickly.
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). Some people, especially young female athletes, can accidentally trap their popliteal artery. Young people whose legs are growing can develop calf muscles so large that they compress the popliteal artery and restrict blood flow. It may require surgery to fix.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Several conditions can hurt your arteries or cause them to narrow. They might keep your arteries from delivering enough blood to your legs. A weak popliteal pulse might be an early sign of these conditions.
Popliteal artery aneurysm. Your popliteal artery can develop weak spots like any other vein or artery in your body. A popliteal artery aneurysm will feel like a lump that pulses with your heartbeat. These aneurysms require medical treatment to prevent a ruptured artery.
Your popliteal pulse can be hard to find depending on things like your weight, how much water you drink, and how you're sitting or standing. It's not usually an emergency if you can't find your popliteal pulse.
But a missing popliteal pulse is sometimes a sign of a bigger problem. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you can't find your pulse and you notice these other symptoms:
These might be signs of a problem like a serious injury, a clot, or something else that's keeping blood from getting to your leg. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible to avoid potential damage to your legs.
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