A leading cardiologist has issued a major warning: some of our everyday habits could be silently causing a deadly health risk called an aortic aneurysm. Dr. Evan Levine, a board-certified cardiologist in New York, shared a list of ten common behaviors he frequently sees contributing to this serious condition. An aortic aneurysm is a dangerous swelling or ballooning in the aorta, which is the body's main artery. If it bursts, it causes massive internal bleeding and can lead to sudden death, often with no prior warning. Dr. Levine stressed that while some risk factors are passed down through family genetics, many are things people do to themselves. What Is The Biggest Risk Factor Of Aortic Aneurysm? According to Dr. Levine, the single worst offender is cocaine. He called it "jet fuel" for the aorta, saying it forces the artery to expand and sickens the body. Even using it just once in a while can cause dangerous and sudden spikes in blood pressure, which puts immense stress on artery walls. The second biggest offender according to him is smoking, which he described to be a lighter version of cocaine because it also drives up blood pressure, damages arteries, and causes fatty buildup also known as cholesterol. For those who have switched to e-cigarettes and vapes, his message is clear: they are all equally bad. The other dangers he listed were, Extreme Heavy Lifting Dr. Levine warned against intense, all-out weightlifting, especially for older people. He clarified he wasn't talking about regular resistance exercise, but rather the kind of lifting where a person is "screaming out their lungs." This kind of strain can rapidly spike blood pressure and seriously stress the aorta. Overused Antibiotics Certain common antibiotics, specifically those called fluoroquinolones (like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin), are an overlooked risk. Dr. Levine warned that overusing these drugs can weaken the inside walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to develop an aneurysm. ADHD Stimulants The long-term use of stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin is also a growing concern. Dr. Levine noted he is seeing younger people with unexplained enlarged aortas, and these drugs are often the cause because they increase blood pressure. He advised taking them only when necessary and not for decades. Quitting Statins He warned that suddenly stopping statins (drugs that control cholesterol) will quickly increase cholesterol and inflammation, which significantly raises the risk of an aneurysm. Avoiding Blood Pressure Meds He also cautioned against avoiding blood pressure tablets based on the outdated belief that it is "normal" for blood pressure to rise as you get older. He said this belief from 60 years ago is wrong, and high blood pressure must be treated. Heavy Drinking Drinking a lot of alcohol often makes your blood pressure and fat levels too high. This constant strain greatly increases your chance of developing a dangerous ballooning, or aneurysm, especially in the sensitive blood vessels of the brain. Junk Food Diet Eating many meals high in salt and calories causes weight gain and leads to high blood pressure. This dangerous combination puts extra stress on your main arteries, significantly increasing the risk and danger of an aortic aneurysm. Not Enough Fiber Surprisingly, a lack of fiber can be risky. When you become constipated, the effort and straining needed for bowel movements raises pressure inside your body. This sudden spike can increase the risk of an aneurysm rupturing. How Is Aortic Aneurysm Treated? According to the US National Lung, and Blood Institute, aneurysm treatment depends on its size and location. If the aneurysm is small, doctors often manage it by focusing on a healthy lifestyle and controlling conditions like high blood pressure to slow its growth. Large or ruptured aneurysms need surgery. Doctors can use Open Surgical Repair (traditional surgery with a large cut) or the less invasive EVAR method (using a small cut to place a tube called a stent graft).
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