Dr Chen Min Qi, MBBS, MRC, FRCS, FAMS
Table of Contents
What Is an Aortic Aneurysm?
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, carrying blood from the heart to the brain, organs, and legs. An aortic aneurysm occurs when a portion of this vessel becomes weakened and gradually enlarges, forming a bulge.
Most aortic aneurysms do not cause symptoms, which is why many people are surprised when they are diagnosed during a scan for another reason. However, as the aneurysm enlarges, the aortic wall becomes thinner and weaker. If it continues to grow, there is a risk that it may tear or rupture, which can be life-threatening.
The danger of an aortic aneurysm is not how it feels, but how large it becomes and how fast it grows. This is why regular imaging and specialist assessment are important once an aneurysm is detected, even if you feel well.
Living with an Aortic Problem
If you have just been told that you have an aortic aneurysm or an aortic dissection, it is normal to feel concerned or uncertain about what this means for your health. Many people feel well and have no symptoms, which can make the diagnosis difficult to understand at first.
In many cases, an aortic aneurysm does not require immediate treatment and can be managed with regular imaging, blood pressure control, and lifestyle adjustments. The decision to intervene is based on factors such as the size and location of the aneurysm, how quickly it is growing, and your overall health, rather than symptoms alone.
An aortic dissection, however, is a more urgent condition that requires prompt specialist assessment and careful management. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important to reduce the risk of serious complications.
Understanding your specific condition, its severity, and the appropriate next steps helps guide decisions about monitoring, treatment, and long-term care.
Aneurysm vs Dissection: What’s the Difference
In my practice, I see two main aortic conditions that often worry patients: aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. Although they both affect the aorta, they behave very differently.
An aortic aneurysm develops gradually as a weakened section of the aorta enlarges over time. Many patients feel completely normal for years. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Persistent pain in the chest, back, or abdomen
- A pulsating feeling in the abdomen
- A sense of pressure or discomfort that does not go away
An aortic dissection, on the other hand, is a medical emergency. It happens suddenly when the inner layer of the aorta tears. Common warning signs include:
- Sudden, severe chest or back pain, often described as sharp or tearing
- Pain that spreads to the neck, jaw, or legs
- Dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting
The key difference is this: aneurysms are often silent, while dissections usually cause sudden and intense symptoms. Both conditions are serious, and timely medical assessment can be life-saving.
How Serious Is My Condition and When Should I Seek Treatment?
If you have been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, it is natural to worry about how serious your condition is and whether treatment is needed immediately. The answer depends on how advanced the condition is, not just on the diagnosis itself.
In many patients, aortic aneurysms are found early and remain stable for some time. In these cases, the risk is usually low and careful monitoring, blood pressure control, and regular scans are sufficient.
The condition becomes more serious when the aneurysm grows larger, enlarges more quickly, or shows signs of weakening, as this increases the risk of rupture. At this stage, treatment may be recommended even if you feel well, to prevent future emergencies.
An aortic dissection is different. It is typically a medical emergency and requires urgent specialist care due to the risk of rapid progression and life-threatening complications.
A specialist assessment helps determine where you fall on this spectrum and whether it is safe to monitor the condition or whether treatment should be planned.
Who Is at Risk and Why It’s Dangerous
Certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing aortic aneurysms or dissections and influence how closely these conditions need to be monitored.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- High blood pressure, which places constant stress on the aorta and is the most common risk factor
- Smoking, which damages blood vessels and accelerates weakening of the artery wall
- Increasing age, particularly above 55 years
- High cholesterol and long-standing vascular disease
- A family history of aortic aneurysm or dissection
Inherited and Medical
- Conditions
Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers–Danlos syndrome - Bicuspid aortic valve, a heart valve condition present from birth
- Long-term use of certain medications, such as prolonged steroid therapy, that may affect blood vessel strength
When these risk factors are present, aortic conditions may progress more quickly or unpredictably, even without symptoms. This is why early specialist assessment, regular imaging, and appropriate monitoring are important to guide timely treatment decisions.
Available Treatment Approaches
Treatment for aortic aneurysms and dissections is tailored to each patient, depending on the size of the aorta, symptoms, and overall health. The main treatment approaches include:
1. Monitoring and Medical Management
This approach is suitable for small aneurysms or stable conditions that are not causing symptoms. Patients are monitored closely with regular imaging such as CT scans or ultrasound to track any changes in size. Medications are prescribed to control blood pressure and reduce stress on the aortic wall, while lifestyle adjustments help slow disease progression.
2. Traditional Open Surgery
Open surgery involves replacing the weakened section of the aorta with a synthetic graft through a large incision in the chest or abdomen. This method is usually reserved for emergency situations, ruptures, or cases where minimally invasive repair is not suitable. While effective, it requires a longer hospital stay and a more extended recovery period.
3. Minimally Invasive Endovascular Repair (EVAR / TEVAR)
Endovascular repair treats the condition from inside the blood vessel using a stent graft inserted through a small incision in the groin. The graft reinforces the weakened aorta and reduces the risk of rupture. For suitable patients, this approach may be associated with smaller incisions and shorter hospital stays in suitable patients compared to open surgery.
Modern Endovascular Repair and Its Benefits
Modern treatment for aortic aneurysms and dissections has evolved significantly, allowing many patients to be treated with minimally invasive endovascular techniques, such as EVAR or TEVAR. Before the procedure, I carefully plan the treatment using detailed CT scans to understand the exact anatomy of the aorta and determine the most suitable approach.
During the procedure, a stent graft is inserted through a small incision in the groin artery and guided to the affected area using imaging. The stent reinforces the weakened section of the aorta or seals the tear, allowing blood to flow safely through the vessel while reducing pressure on the damaged wall.
Key Benefits of Modern Endovascular Repair
- Smaller incisions and less trauma to the body
- Reduced pain compared to open surgery
- Shorter hospital stays, often only a few days
- Faster recovery and earlier return to daily activities
Reduce the risk of certain complications in suitable patients, depending on individual clinical factors.
These modern techniques allow effective treatment while prioritizing safety, comfort, and long-term outcomes.
Recovery and Long-Term Care
After endovascular repair, recovery experience may vary compared to traditional open surgery. Most patients stay in the hospital for a few days so that blood pressure, heart rate, and the access site in the groin can be monitored closely. Pain is generally mild and well controlled, and many patients are able to walk within a day after the procedure.
Once you return home, I usually advise avoiding heavy lifting for a few weeks and continuing medications to keep blood pressure well controlled. Regular follow-up scans are an important part of long-term care, as they allow us to check that the stent graft remains stable and working well. With proper follow-up and lifestyle adjustments, many patients are able to return to their normal routines safely.
About Dr Chen Min Qi
When dealing with complex vascular conditions, choosing the right specialist is essential. Dr Chen Min Qi is a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon with a clinical focus on minimally invasive treatments for aortic and vascular disease.
Dr Chen is particularly experienced in endovascular procedures, which are designed to treat vascular conditions with smaller incisions, reduced trauma, and faster recovery when compared to traditional open surgery. He has been involved in more than 2,000 endovascular and interventional procedures, supporting treatment planning that prioritises safety, precision, and long-term outcomes.
In addition to aortic and peripheral vascular care, Dr Chen performs advanced, less commonly available procedures such as thyroid nodule ablation, prostate artery embolisation, and uterine artery embolisation. These treatments reflect his subspecialty interest in applying newer techniques to improve quality of life while minimising disruption to daily activities.
Patients are treated at the Vascular & Interventional Centre in Singapore, which is equipped with a fully owned hybrid operating theatre that allows seamless transition between imaging, minimally invasive intervention, and surgery when required. This setup supports timely decision-making and transparent cost planning.
International patients are supported by Bahasa-speaking concierge services and an Indonesian coordination team, providing clear communication and guidance throughout the consultation, treatment, and recovery process.
FAQs
Early diagnosis allows timely monitoring or treatment before rupture or stroke occurs. Advanced imaging and specialist evaluation, often available in Singapore, greatly improve outcomes and reduce life-threatening complications.
Get the Right Advice Early
Aortic aneurysms and dissections are serious conditions, but early detection and treatment options today allow conditions to be managed more effectively when diagnosed early. Minimally invasive endovascular repair allows many patients to be treated safely with less pain and faster recovery. If you have risk factors or symptoms, timely assessment is important.
For more information or to arrange a consultation with Dr Chen Min Qi in Singapore, please contact the Indonesia office for assistance.
