Information About Aortic Enlargement and Disease
- November 12th, 2011
- Write comment
The aorta is the artery that allows oxygen rich blood to enter into the heart. If this artery is enlarged, it will seriously jeopardize the entire body. An enlarged aorta is not considered to be normal. In fact, an increase in its size can indicate the degeneration of cells within that specific artery. Although genetics can play a vital role, and the aortas size may vary from one individual to another, the enlargement of the aorta can be an indication of Aortic disease. Based on information from the Gloucestershire Aneurysm Screening Committee, the enlargement is a gradual process. The increase is only few-millimeters per year. When enlargement occurs, blood will flow slowly because of a large gap and it has a negative effect upon the oxygen supply. If an enlargement is diagnosed, it must be kept under constant observation. If the diameter in the aorta measures 4 cm or greater, it is considered to be an aneurysm.