Popliteal Artery Aneurysm

Overview

A popliteal aneurysm is a ballooned-out part of your popliteal artery, which is behind your knee. Half of the people with popliteal aneurysms will have them in both legs.

Popliteal aneurysms can cause issues if they burst (rupture), send a clot down your leg (embolize) or block artery flow (thrombose). Some people can lose their legs or even their lives when this condition takes a turn for the worse.

How common are they?

Popliteal aneurysms happen in 1 in 100,000 people assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 7 in 100,000 people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

Popliteal aneurysms aren’t common, but they’re second only to abdominal aortic aneurysms (the most common kind of aneurysm). These two are related, and nearly half of people with a popliteal aneurysm will also have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. So if a provider finds either aneurysm, it’s important to look for the other.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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