Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Treatment
Source: NHS
In this topic (11)
Treatments for atherosclerosis
There aren't currently any treatments that can reverse atherosclerosis, but the healthy lifestyle changes suggested above mayhelp stop it getting worse.
Sometimes additional treatment to reduce the risk of problems like heart attacks and strokes may also be recommended, such as:
- statins for high cholesterol read more about treating high cholesterol
- medicines for high blood pressure read more about treating high blood pressure
- medicines to reduce the risk of blood clots such as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel
- dietary changes and medication for diabetes read more about treating type 1 diabetes and treating type 2 diabetes
- a procedure to widen or bypass an affected artery such as a coronary angioplasty, a coronary artery bypass graft, or a carotid endarterectomy
Click on the links above for more information about what these treatments involve.
Treatment of atherosclerosis
Since atherosclerosis involves a long-winded process during which the walls of the arteries change, it required constant care throughout one’s life, in terms of regulating lifestyle. One must make sure that they are consuming a balanced diet, participating in regular physical activity, etc.
In order to prevent atherosclerosis, it is also necessary to appropriately treat other chronic diseases. It is therefore recommended:
- To treat arterial hypertension with antihypertensive drugs
- Antilipidemic drugs
- Statins
- Using medication to reduce risks for forming a blood clot, like aspirin, clepidogrel, etc
- Medicating diabetes type 1 or 2 appropriately and regularly
- In cases of heart issues, it is important to immediately intervene in order to place a stent or by-pass in order to correct the damaged blood vessel, and facilitate the passage of blood to the heart.
How is atherosclerosis treated?
Treatment involves changing your current lifestyle to one that limits the amount of fat and cholesterol you consume. You may need to exercise more to improve the health of your heart and blood vessels.
You may also need additional medical treatments, such as:
Medications
Medications can help prevent atherosclerosis from worsening.
Medications include:
- cholesterol-lowering medications, including statins and fibric acid derivatives
- antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants, such as aspirin, to prevent blood from clotting and clogging your arteries
- beta blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower your blood pressure
- diuretics or water pills, to help lower your blood pressure
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which help prevent narrowing of your arteries
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary if symptoms are especially severe, or if muscle or skin tissue are endangered.
Possible surgeries for treating atherosclerosis include:
- bypass surgery, which involves using a vessel from somewhere else in your body or a synthetic tube to divert blood around your blocked or narrowed artery
- thrombolytic therapy, which involves dissolving a blood clot by injecting a drug into your affected artery
- angioplasty, which involves using a thin, flexible tube called a catheter and a balloon to expand your artery, sometimes inserting a stent to leave the artery open
- endarterectomy, which involves surgically removing fatty deposits from your artery
- atherectomy, which involves removing plaque from your arteries by using a catheter with a sharp blade at one end
Articles for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
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Introduction
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling of the aorta. It involves an ultrasound scan and is offered to all men aged 65 and over. An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, its extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or dont survive surgery.
Treatment
Since atherosclerosis involves a long-winded process during which the walls of the arteries change, it required constant care throughout one’s life, in terms of regulating lifestyle. One must make sure that they are consuming a balanced diet, participating in regular physical activity, etc.
What are the most FAQs on abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Frequently asked questions on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. Will I be offered abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening if I live outside England? What is the scientific evidence to support AAA screening? What happens if I am a man over 65 and haven't been screened for an AAA? What about women and men under 65? What are the implications for driving? What permission do I need to give to be screened? etc.
What happens during screening?
The screening test for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a simple, pain-free ultrasound scan of the abdomen that usually takes about 10 minutes. The technician will put a clear gel on your stomach (abdomen) and then move a small Ultrasound scan over the skin. The ultrasound scan will display a picture of the abdominal aorta on a monitor, and the technician can then measure it's thickness.
When abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is offered
The risk of dying from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is greatest in men aged over 65. This is why the NHS AAA Screening Programme offers screening to men aged 65 and over. Men are six times more likely to have an AAA than women, and the chance of having an aneurysm increases with age. Your risk of developing an AAA increases if you have a close family member brother, sister or parent who has an AAA or died from one.
When to seek medical help?
There's usually no need to see your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if you get headaches several times a week or your headaches are severe.
Why have abdominal aortic aneurysm screening?
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) you wont usually know, you wont feel any pain or notice anything different, which is why screening is offered. The NHS AAA Screening Programme was introduced after research showed it could halve the number of deaths from burst aneurysms among men aged 65 and over. The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if: you smoke; you have high blood pressure; a brother, a sister or a parent has, or has had, an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm screening results
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scan will produce one of four possible results: a normal-sized aorta, a small aneurysm, a medium aneurysm, or a large aneurysm. What happens next depends on the size of your abdominal aorta. You'll also be given advice on how you can prevent the aneurysm from getting bigger, including: stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet, etc. You should be seen by the surgeon within two weeks of your screening appointment. The surgeon will discuss treatment options with you, taking into account your general health and fitness, as well as the size of your AAA.
