Things a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Patient Should Take Care Of

The human body is a wonderful machine made of so many complex mechanisms that we fail to understand. Each of the body parts has a specific function assigned to them and they perform those functions without us consciously realising that. We may not be aware of the number of tasks our bodies perform for the sake of our well being. But when there is an obstruction in the function of any of these, those are the times when we realise how important each of these is.

Our vascular system is so vastly spread to the minutest part of our body. It is made up of various kinds of ducts that carry blood throughout our body. The ones that carry blood from the heart to various body parts are called arteries whereas the ones that carry blood from different parts of the body are called veins. So naturally, arteries carry oxygenated blood. While performing such an important function, there is a health condition that arteries may suffer from which is known as a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

What is a thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm is a condition that weakens the aorta i.e. the major blood vessels responsible for providing oxygenated blood to the entire body. An aneurysm is formed in an artery. This bulge can be formed anywhere in the artery. This condition overall means weakening of aorta because of which there is a bulge formation. The walls of the artery may be weakened because of the blood pushing against the wall of the aorta, causing a balloon-like bulge. In mild cases, it is only limited to the formation of the bulge. But it can grow as serious as causing a tear in the wall of the aorta which depends on the size and the pace at which an aneurysm is growing. The risk of causing a tear is higher in larger aneurysms and the ones that grow faster.

Let us learn about wellness-focused measures to be followed by patients having a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Precautions to be taken by patients of a thoracic aortic aneurysm

Being diagnosed with this condition does not mean the end of life. But patients can follow certain guidelines to maintain their health. Vascular surgeon Bangalore prescribes the following guidelines for the same.

1. Keeping an eye on blood pressure

Any fluctuations in blood pressure will affect the size of the aneurysm. Hence, blood pressure should be kept in control and efforts have to be taken to maintain that. Some people may have to take medication for that. Identifying individual risk factors that increase blood pressure and carefully avoiding them is important.

1. Maintaining heart health

You should make sure to keep your heart in a healthy condition. It will include a lot of factors like diet and exercise. A careful analysis of your cholesterol intake should be done and that should be diligently followed to avoid any added strain on the heart. You should also take up some light cardio exercises. All this needs to be done after consulting your cardiologist.

1. Post-surgery precautions

If you had to undergo surgery for this health condition then you should get a check-up done at regular intervals. There are some medicines which increase the chances of aortic dissection. So before starting any medication, it is important to discuss that with your cardiologist. Because of the high genetic prevalence of this condition, it would be beneficial to get a screening done for any other relative conditions, after having dissecting aortic aneurysm.

When you have been through a health condition there is a list of things you should not be doing which is longer than the list of things you should be doing and this condition is no exception to that. Let us learn about those as well.

Practices that should be avoided

The following things should be carefully avoided by the patients of a thoracic aortic aneurysm according to the Vascular surgeon in Bangalore.

1. Lifestyle limitations

If you have undergone surgery to cure this condition you should refrain from getting a body piercing or tattoo. You should also avoid sitting in topsy turvy rides if you happen to visit an amusement park.

1. Physical hard work

It should be kept in mind that patients who have had dissecting aortic aneurysm cannot carry anything heavy. You should not lift or bear anything heavier than 30 pounds. One should not involve themselves in anything like weight training. Activities like pulling or pushing heavy objects should be avoided at all costs. Participation in rigorous sports should be avoided too.

1. Health-related practices

Many people have issues related to addiction and especially smoking. After undergoing surgery, the person has to make sure that they do not smoke and not participate in any over-adventurous activities. These activities may put a lot of strain on the heart. Apart from that, one should avoid any kind of self-medication as a constituent of certain drugs may affect the bulges formed in our aorta.

Conditions related to the heart are viewed as something that puts a lot of limitations on you. Only a few are able to look at them as a second chance towards life and learn to live with the precautions. It would not seem so bad if people looked at it through that prism. To understand how to prevent the development of a thoracic aortic aneurysm, visit Vascular Centre.