An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or ballooning of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Many aneurysms grow quietly for years without obvious symptoms, which is why screening and surveillance matter for patients with the right risk factors.
At M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group P.C. in Forest Hills, Queens, Dr. Amir Salem and the vascular team help patients understand whether aortic aneurysm screening, follow-up imaging, or specialist coordination may be appropriate. The goal is simple: find serious circulation problems before they become emergencies.
What Is an Aortic Aneurysm?
The aorta is the body's largest artery. When part of the aortic wall weakens, that section can widen. Aneurysms may occur in the abdomen, chest, or other parts of the aorta. The concern is that some aneurysms can enlarge over time and, in rare cases, rupture or dissect. Those events are life-threatening and require emergency care.
Not every aneurysm needs a procedure. Smaller aneurysms are often monitored with repeat imaging and risk-factor control. Larger, fast-growing, or symptomatic aneurysms may require evaluation by a vascular specialist to discuss repair options.
Who Should Ask About Screening?
Aortic aneurysm screening is not the same for every patient. Your doctor may consider your age, sex, smoking history, family history, and other vascular risk factors. Patients in Queens should ask about screening or surveillance if they have:
- A known aortic aneurysm found on prior ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or another imaging test
- A family history of abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysm
- A history of smoking, especially in older adults
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, or other known vascular disease
- A prior scan that mentioned aortic enlargement or ectasia
If you are unsure whether an old imaging report matters, bring it to your visit. Even a report from years ago can help guide whether repeat imaging is needed.
Why Aneurysms Are Often Missed
Many aortic aneurysms do not cause pain, swelling, or visible changes. Some are discovered only when imaging is performed for another reason, such as back pain, abdominal symptoms, kidney stones, or unrelated medical concerns.
That quiet pattern is why risk-based screening is important. A patient may feel well but still have risk factors that justify a conversation about ultrasound or other imaging. Early discovery gives the care team time to monitor size, control blood pressure, reduce smoking-related risk, and decide whether additional vascular evaluation is needed.
Symptoms That Need Emergency Care
Most aneurysm evaluations are routine, but certain symptoms should never wait for an office appointment. Call 911 for sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain, fainting, severe weakness, shortness of breath, signs of shock, or new neurologic symptoms such as one-sided weakness or trouble speaking.
These symptoms do not always mean aneurysm rupture or dissection, but they are serious enough to require emergency evaluation.
What Happens During an Aneurysm Evaluation?
A vascular evaluation usually starts with a careful history. The team may ask about smoking, blood pressure, family history, prior imaging, leg pain while walking, carotid disease, heart disease, medications, and any abdominal, chest, back, or leg symptoms.
Depending on your situation, the next step may include ultrasound, CT angiography, medication coordination, repeat surveillance timing, or referral for advanced vascular repair planning. The visit should also include plain-English guidance about what was found, what size means, and when follow-up is needed.
How M&S Connects Aneurysm Care With Whole-Body Vascular Health
Aortic aneurysm risk often overlaps with other circulation problems. Patients with peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, non-healing foot wounds, diabetes, smoking history, or high blood pressure may benefit from a broader vascular assessment rather than a narrow one-problem visit.
M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group provides vascular care in Forest Hills for patients across Queens, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, Flushing, Great Neck, and nearby Long Island communities. Dr. Salem's vascular and interventional radiology background helps patients understand imaging, surveillance, and minimally invasive options when appropriate.
Questions to Bring to Your Visit
If you are coming in for aneurysm screening or surveillance, consider asking:
- Do my age, smoking history, or family history make screening appropriate?
- What type of imaging do I need?
- If an aneurysm is present, how large is it and how often should it be checked?
- What blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking-related goals should I focus on?
- Do I also need evaluation for PAD, carotid disease, or other vascular concerns?
Clear answers can reduce anxiety and help you make safer decisions.
Schedule Vascular Evaluation in Forest Hills
If you have a known aneurysm, prior imaging that mentioned aortic enlargement, or risk factors that make you wonder whether screening is appropriate, M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group can help you take the next step.
Call (718) 897-2228 to schedule an appointment in Forest Hills, Queens, or visit https://www.msorthovasc.com to learn more about vascular care with M&S.
Frequently asked questions
Does every aortic aneurysm need surgery?
No. Smaller aneurysms may be monitored with repeat imaging and risk-factor control. Larger, fast-growing, or symptomatic aneurysms may need advanced vascular repair evaluation.
What test is used to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Ultrasound is commonly used for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening because it is non-invasive and does not use radiation. Some patients may need CT angiography depending on prior findings or anatomy.
Can an aortic aneurysm cause no symptoms?
Yes. Many aneurysms cause no symptoms until they become large or complicated. That is why risk-based screening and surveillance are important.
When is aneurysm pain an emergency?
Sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain, fainting, weakness, or signs of shock should be treated as an emergency. Call 911 rather than waiting for an office appointment.
Related pages
- [Aortic Aneurysm Evaluation](/services/aortic-aneurysm)
- [Vascular Care in Forest Hills](/services/vascular-care)
- [Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment](/services/peripheral-artery-disease)
- [Carotid Artery Disease and Stroke Prevention](/services/carotid-artery-disease)
- [Why Seniors Should Get Annual Vascular Checkups](/blog/why-seniors-should-get-annual-vascular-checkups-queens)