Expert Treatment for Aneurysms at Vascular Care Center
Arterial Disease Specialists with Decades of Experience
Don’t let arterial disease stop you from doing what you love. As one of the top vascular groups in the East Bay, we use the latest technology to help you get out of pain and back to life faster. Our on-site vascular lab makes appointments even easier.
Aneurysms Q & A
What are aneurysms?
An aneurysm develops when any part of the arterial wall becomes weak. The weakness causes the artery to widen and balloon out abnormally.
While aneurysms can occur anywhere in your body, the most common locations they develop are in the:
- Brain (cerebral aneurysm)
- Spleen (splenic artery aneurysm)
- Major heart artery (aortic aneurysm)
- Abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm)
- Intestine (mesenteric artery aneurysm)
- Behind the knee (popliteal artery aneurysm)
Your risk of developing an aneurysm may increase if you have a family history of the condition. You also may be at greater risk if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or if you smoke.
What are the symptoms of an aneurysm?
An aneurysm can develop gradually over several years and not cause any symptoms. If the aneurysm develops in a vessel close to the surface of your skin, you may have noticeable swelling and pain.
If you have an aneurysm that ruptures, you can experience sudden symptoms like:
- Pain
- Dizziness
- Clammy skin
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
If you develop these sudden symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention at the local hospital or by calling 911.
If diagnostic testing for another issue reveals an unruptured aneurysm, you should schedule an evaluation at Vascular Surgery Medical Group as soon as possible to prevent complications. The medical team offers on-site diagnostic technology, including ultrasounds, to quickly evaluate the aneurysm.
How are aneurysms treated?
The surgical team at Vascular Surgery Medical Group offers minimally invasive treatments to address unruptured aneurysms. They assess the size and location of your aneurysm to determine the best course of treatment.
A common procedure is an endograft, which involves inserting a thin tube into the groin and guiding it to the aneurysm using X-ray technology. Your provider sends a guidewire and stent graft through the tube and positions it in the artery. The graft expands in the artery and seals off the weakness in the vessel.
In some cases, endovascular procedures aren’t possible for treating an aneurysm, and the Vascular Surgery Medical Group team can perform open surgery to repair the artery to prevent it from rupturing.
If you need treatment for an aneurysm that hasn’t ruptured, schedule a consultation today with the medical team at the Vascular Surgery Medical Group. Call the office nearest you or use the online booking feature.
