Burgas, Bulgaria – Nine medical facilities in Burgas are joining forces in an unprecedented campaign aimed at preventing one of the most insidious and life-threatening conditions – an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The initiative, which is supported by the Municipality of Burgas and the Southeast Innovation Center for Genetics and Biotechnology, is part of a large-scale European action for free prevention. It will take place simultaneously in six European cities on September 18.
The sinister threat that lurks in silence
An aneurysm is a pathological enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel. In the case of the abdominal aorta, this enlargement can reach critical dimensions, leading to an extremely dangerous thinning and subsequent rupture of the artery wall. The consequences are catastrophic – massive blood loss, which in more than 90% of cases leads to a fatal outcome within minutes. This statistic underscores the urgency and importance of timely detection of the disease.
Despite the high risk, hope comes from simple diagnosis. An ultrasound examination is a simple and painless method that allows the enlargement to be detected at an early stage, before a rupture has occurred. In this way, doctors can take timely measures that significantly improve the quality and duration of patients' lives. The campaign in Burgas aims to do just that – to identify at-risk individuals and provide them with the opportunity for a life-saving intervention.
Who are the at-risk groups and how to get involved?
The campaign is aimed at people with an increased risk of developing an aneurysm. This includes men over 65 years of age, smokers, people with poor blood pressure control, as well as those with a family history of the disease. Special attention should also be paid by people who have non-specific complaints such as abdominal pain, numbness in the limbs, or a feeling of a pulsating formation in the abdominal area.
Each of the nine medical facilities participating in the initiative will offer a free ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta, which takes only a few minutes. After the examination, patients will receive clear and specific instructions for subsequent actions depending on the results of the examination. Early recognition of the problem, combined with periodic monitoring and eventual stent placement, can drastically improve life prospects.