Goals of Treatment
Some aneurysms, mainly small ones that are not causing pain, can be treated with “watchful waiting.” Others need to be treated to prevent growth and complications. The goals of treatment are to prevent the aneurysm from growing, prevent or reverse damage to other body structures, prevent or treat a rupture, and to allow you to continue to participate in normal daily activities.
Treatment Options
Medicine and surgery are the two types of treatment for an aneurysm. Medicines may be prescribed before surgery or instead of surgery. Medicines are used to reduce pressure, relax blood vessels, and reduce the risk of rupture. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are the medicines most commonly used.
Surgery may be recommended if an aneurysm is large and likely to rupture.
How Can an Aneurysm Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent an aneurysm is to avoid the risk factors that increase the changes of developing one. To do this, you can:
- Quit smoking.
- Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet to reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
- Plaque is a fatty buildup that narrows the arteries.
- Control high blood pressure (eating a low-salt diet helps).
- Control high cholesterol.
- Get regular physical activity.
Source:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (August 2006). Aneurysm. Retrieved February 1, 2008, from NHLBI, National Institutes of Health. Web site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/arm/arm_all.html
