Treatments goal:
The goal in treating aneurysms is to reduce the risk of rupture, which increases with aneurysm size. However, if you have a small aneurysm, your doctor may propose treatment that will prevent your aneurysm from growing.
Your doctor may suggest:
Medications: Aortic aneurysm is usually associated with high blood pressure that promote the weakness of the artery wall. If you have a high blood pressure, your doctor may initiate at Beta blocker (ex: Lopressor) or Angiotensin 2 receptor blocker (ex: Losartan) to lower your blood pressure. For people with Marfan syndrome, it may slow the aorta dilatation rate. Your doctor will recommend maintaining a blood pressure lower than 140/90 or if your diabetic 130/80.
Also, if you have an aortic abdominal aneurysm, a Statin will be introduced to your medication regimen. That medication will lower your cholesterol which can help reduce artery blockage and your risk of aneurysm complication.
Monitoring with image: Your doctor will order regular imaging test to evaluate the size of the aneurysm and determinate whether or the aneurysm is growing. You should expect and echocardiogram or CT scan or MRI to be done between 3-6 months after you have been diagnosed with aortic aneurysm. The frequency and the choice of the tests will depend of the location, the size and how fast is the aneurysm is growing.
Smoking cessation is recommended: A Predisposing factor for abdominal aneurysm, your doctor may propose you gum, nicotine patch or resources which could help you stop smoking.
Avoid isometric exercise such as weight lifting, Valsalva maneuver (try to exhale when your airway is blocked) and heavy lifting. Those exercises promote high blood pressure, which can improve the aneurysm to grow.
Promote a Healthy lifestyle: As aneurysm is mostly related to risk factor of cardiovascular disease: such as high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetic. Your doctor will recommend that you follow a low cholesterol and low salt intake diet, to drink with moderation, to be active and maintain healthy weight.
When an aneurysm reaches a critical size, approximately 5.5 cm, it is time for surgical treatment. However, depending of the rate at which your aneurysm is growing, your genetic tests result, your family history, the shape and size of your aneurysm, the location of your aneurysm, your symptoms or other medical conditions (ex: bicuspid valve, concomitant aortic valve disease), you may be operated before the aneurysm reach the size of 5.5 cm.