Aortic dilatation is often discovered accidentally. However, the consequence can be fatal.
Heikki Kovalainen got to hear the shocking diagnosis, which came about during a routine medical examination. Inka Soveri
Formula driver Heikki Kovalainen’s career is on hold due to a startling diagnosis. In connection with a routine medical examination, it was found that the athletic man, who is only 42 years old, has an enlargement of the ascending aorta, i.e. an aneurysm.
In Kovalainen’s case, it is a hereditary disease that he himself cannot do anything about. The solution may be found in surgery. In the repair operations of the ascending thoracic aorta, the diseased part of the aorta is replaced with a vascular prosthesis.
The causes of enlargement are not always hereditary. An aneurysm can also form in the aorta when its wall has weakened due to arterial disease, i.e. atherosclerosis.
Often asymptomatic
Aortic dilatation is an insidious disease in that it almost always causes no symptoms. Often it is found only by chance in connection with an imaging study performed for other reasons.
However, in some cases compression symptoms caused by the bulge may appear, such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing or hoarseness.
Aneurysm can also press on adjacent tissues and therefore cause pain. In the event of severe, sudden chest pain, it is necessary to seek medical treatment immediately.
Aortic enlargement is usually detected during an imaging study performed for other reasons. Alamy/AOP
More common in men
Aortic enlargement is more common in men than in women. Its prevalence increases with age.
Dilation is treated in the same way as high blood pressure and other risk factors for arterial disease. Important ways are to stop smoking, lose extra pounds, do enough exercise and follow a heart-friendly diet.
Large enlargements are excised due to the risk of perforation. The bursting of an aneurysm is a life-threatening situation: many of those who experience it die before they get to the hospital, and not everyone who gets to the hospital survives.
For example, a favorite singer Church eli Kirill Babitsin died of a ruptured aorta at only 56 years old. The same reason also took the singer Olli Lindholm.
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This is how you reduce the risks of aortic rupture:
Lifestyle can have a decisive influence on the risk factors of arterial disease and the risk of getting sick.
1. Stop smoking. It affects the whole body and increases the risk of getting sick, e.g. cardiovascular diseases and COPD.
2. Reduce hard fat and increase soft fat. The goal is that less than 10 percent of the daily energy comes from hard fat.
3. Increase your daily fiber intake. The goal is 25–35 grams per day. At least half of the amount used should be whole grains. You can get the most dietary fiber from rye and whole grains. It is also found in legumes such as beans and peas, as well as in nuts and many seeds.
4. Eat fish at least twice a week. Opt for fatty fish such as salmon, rainbow trout or herring, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Eat vegetables, berries and fruits. A total of 5-6 handfuls a day.
6. Reduce the use of salt. Try to get below 5 grams per day
7. More exercise. The minimum goal is at least 30 minutes of light breathing exercise on most days of the week. More exercise is recommended.
8. Watch your weight. Keep your weight and especially your waist circumference within normal limits. The waist circumference should be less than 100 cm for men and less than 90 cm for women.
Sources: Terveyskirjasto, Terveykylä, Iltalehti archive
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