What is a bulging blood vessel called?

What is a bulging blood vessel called?

An aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of a blood vessel. It may occur in any blood vessel, but most often develops in an artery rather than a vein. An aneurysm can be categorized by its location, shape, and cause. An aneurysm may be found in many areas of the body, such as: Brain (cerebral aneurysm)

What is the ballooning or bulging of a blood vessel called?

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning of an artery, caused by weakening of the artery wall. Aortic aneurysms occur in the aorta, the major blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to the rest of the body.

Is an abnormal bulge in the wall of a blood vessel?

An aneurysm is an abnormal swelling or bulge in the wall of a blood vessel, such as an artery. Aneurysms can occur anywhere throughout the circulatory system, but most commonly develop along the aorta (the body’s main artery that runs the length of the trunk) and in blood vessels of the brain.

What does it mean if you have a bulge in your aorta?

When the aorta is weak, blood pushing against the vessel wall can cause it to bulge like a balloon (aneurysm). A thoracic aortic aneurysm is also called a thoracic aneurysm, and aortic dissection can occur because of an aneurysm.

What causes blood vessels to bulge?

Inflammation and swelling of a vein (thrombophlebitis) is a common cause of bulging veins. Other common causes include lack of movement and obesity. Obstructions to the flow of blood in the veins can also cause bulging. Pregnancy can lead to bulging veins in some women.

Why do blood vessels enlarge?

Vasodilation occurs naturally in your body in response to triggers such as low oxygen levels, a decrease in available nutrients, and increases in temperature. It causes the widening of your blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

What causes enlarged ascending aorta?

Heart disease: The most common cause of aortic aneurysms is atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. You’re also at higher risk of an ascending aortic aneurysm if you have aortic valve disease. The aortic valve releases blood from the heart into the aorta.

What causes an aneurysm in the aorta?

What causes an aneurysm? Any condition that causes the walls of the arteries to weaken can lead to an aneurysm. Atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque in the arteries), high blood pressure, and smoking increase your risk. Deep wounds, injuries, or infections can also cause blood vessels to bulge.

What causes swollen veins in fingers?

Phlebitis. If a hand infection, trauma, or autoimmune disease causes a vein to become inflamed, the vein could swell. Superficial thrombophlebitis. Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a superficial vein (phlebitis) caused by a blood clot (thrombus).

What happens when blood vessels expand?

The widening of blood vessels during vasodilation promotes blood flow. This has the effect of reducing blood pressure within the walls of the blood vessels. Vasodilation therefore creates a natural drop in blood pressure. Some people experience abnormally low blood pressure, or hypotension.

What happens when blood vessels bulge in the chest?

When Blood Vessels Bulge. Aneurysms can also cause a split within the layers of an artery wall. This split, called a dissection, can lead to bleeding within the artery’s layers. Aneurysms that rupture or dissect can cause sudden death. Many aneurysms occur in deep inside the chest, abdomen or brain.

What happens when blood vessels rupture or dissect?

This split, called a dissection, can lead to bleeding within the artery’s layers. Aneurysms that rupture or dissect can cause sudden death. Many aneurysms occur in deep inside the chest, abdomen or brain. Most appear in the aorta—the main artery that carries blood from the heart down through the center of the body.

What causes sharp pain when blood vessels bulge?

When Blood Vessels Bulge. Sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen and back can indicate a ruptured AAA. Dissected or ruptured TAAs may cause sharp pain that travels from the upper back to the abdomen. Ruptured brain aneurysms can cause a sudden, intense headache. However, because most aneurysms have no symptoms,…

What causes elongation and distortion of the arteries?

Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by lengthening (elongation) and twisting or distortion (tortuosity) of arteries throughout the body. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.