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Specialized Care for Heart Aneurysms.

Aortic Aneurysms

Expert treatment where you live

The experts at Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute offer innovative approaches to preventing and treating thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms that can rupture the largest artery in your body.

Take the First Step

If you believe you are at risk for heart disease, it’s time to take the first step in improving your cardiac health. Visit your primary care provider to discuss your heart health to see if you need a referral to one of our heart specialists. If you do not have a primary care provider, follow the steps below to get started:

Step 1:
Visit your Primary
Care Provider

Step 2:
Discuss your
concerns

Step 3:
Your provider gives
a referral

Step 4:
Choose the right
specialist for you

Aortic Aneurysm FAQs

What is an aortic aneurysm?

Are there different types of aortic aneurysms?

Yes, there are three primary categories of aortic aneurysms. They are:

Thoracic aortic aneurysms, which occur in the chest area.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms, which occur in the abdomen.
Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, which extend from the thoracic section to the abdominal area of your aorta.

What causes aortic aneurysms?

While their exact cause is unknown, the following are associated with increased risk of having an aortic aneurysm:

Family history of aortic aneurysms
Smoking or significant second-hand smoke exposure
Age (65+) and sex (assigned male at birth)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol, leading to plaque buildup in the aorta (atherosclerosis)
Inflammation of, or injury to, the aorta

What are symptoms of an aortic aneurysm?

You may not always experience symptoms with an aortic aneurysm. If you do, these are the potential warning signs:

Thoracic (chest): Pain in the jaw, neck, and upper back; chest or back pain; coughing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing
Abdominal: Intense back or abdominal pain; rapid pulse; nausea and vomiting; excessive sweating; shock

What are potential complications of an aortic aneurysm?

How do I determine if I have an aortic aneurysm?

If you have risk factors or symptoms described above discuss them with your primary care provider. They may refer you for diagnostic testing to determine whether you have an aortic aneurysm. Testing can be performed with any of the following procedures:

Angiogram
CT scan
MRI scan
Ultrasound

What treatment options are available for aortic aneurysms?

Treatment Options

A Novant Health nurse is at the bedside of a senior patient. The nurse is smiling and talking with the patient as she holders a large medical devce in her hand.

Endovascular Surgery

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a less invasive procedure performed by vascular surgeons that may result in less pain and a quicker recovery than open surgery. It involves inserting a stent — or fabric-covered, metal-mesh tube — into the damaged part of the aorta through a catheter.

A Novant Health team member is reviewing information on a computer monitor during surgery.

Open Surgery

If you have a ruptured aortic aneurysm or are at a high risk of rupture, your care team may recommend open aortic aneurysm repair. During this procedure a vascular or heart surgeon removes the aneurysm-damaged section of your aorta and replaces it with a graft (an artificial fabric tube) that becomes your new aortic wall.

A Novant Health pharmacist is counting medication pills as they fill a patients prescription.

Medication Management

If your care team determines that the size of your aortic aneurysm doesn't require immediate surgery, they may prescribe medication to help prevent or slow its growth. Blood pressure (anti-hypertensive) and cholesterol-lowering medications are commonly used.

Surgical Specialists

Heart surgeons

Heart surgeons, also referred to as “cardiovascular surgeons,” specialize in treating thoracic aortic aneurysms. These are said to occur in the "ascending aorta,” because this part of the aorta ascends from the left ventricle in the lower heart chamber toward the the aortic arch.

Vascular surgeons

Vascular surgeons treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, or those that occur in the descending aorta, or portion running from the aortic arch down to the pelvis.

Heart & Vascular