YOUR HEALTH
Aneurysms are weak sports on artery walls
DR. DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter died of an aneurysm at age 69. What caused it? Is there a cure? Can it be inherited? She complained of pains in her stomach, and I told her maybe it was her gallbladder. She never told a doctor about her stomach pain. -- H.M.

ANSWER: An aneurysm is a bulge on an artery wall. It's a weak spot. If an aneurysm breaks, severe and quite often fatal bleeding takes place.

Aneurysms can occur on any artery. Brain aneurysms are common. Your daughter's aneurysm most likely was on her aorta, the body's biggest artery.

Age, smoking, being a male (men have more aneurysms than women), artery hardening and high blood pressure contribute to the formation of aneurysms. So does a family history. Were there any other family members who had one? An aortic aneurysm is not exactly inherited, but there can be a family tendency to develop one.

Aneurysm size is the criterion that decides what should be done. If it's at a size that threatens rupture, the treatment is surgery. Sometimes a graft can be maneuvered into place before rupture by inserting it into the aorta through a surface artery. That saves a person from having an operation, but this procedure can't always be done.

I'm sorry you lost your daughter. Her stomach pain might have been a slow leak from the aneurysm before it broke. After it breaks, there is little hope for survival unless surgery is done right away.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 82. For about three years, I have had irregular heartbeats. For the past five or six months I have had them continuously, and I am worried. My cardiologist and my family physician say I shouldn't worry. They have not restricted me in any way.

I am sending you copies of all my tests. Do I have atrial fibrillation? -- L.M.

ANSWER: You do not have atrial fibrillation. You have premature atrial heartbeats -- extra beats that arise in the upper heart chambers, the atria, and are of no concern. They don't impair your health one bit.

I have gone over your heart tests and am awestruck. You deserve a standing ovation for your heart. You have an ejection fraction of 63 percent. The ejection fraction tells how much blood your heart pumps with each beat. A 63 percent ejection fraction means your heart works like the heart of a teenager.

You exercised on the treadmill for seven minutes, something that not many your age could do. During the exercise, there were no bad changes in your electrocardiogram. Furthermore, you had an injection of a radioactive material and pictures were taken of your heart. There are no blockages in any heart artery. You are not a candidate for a heart attack.

You are the picture of heart health. Stop worrying. The worry is going to cause you more trouble than your heart can possibly cause you.

You don't need the booklet, but people who would like more information on heart attacks can obtain the booklet on that topic by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 102, Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved