Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Medicare

Older adults need to be mindful of a number of health conditions. By keeping yourself informed, you’ll be able to identify and respond to your health concerns more quickly. One health condition that you should take the time to learn about is abdominal aortic aneurysms. They’ve very common and can be life-threatening in certain situations. Keep reading to learn more about what abdominal aortic aneurysms are and how you can respond to them with Medicare.

An Overview of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms affect more than 3 million U.S. citizens each year. Put simply, they occur when a person’s aorta valve becomes enlarged near their abdomen. This enlarged blood vessel can sometimes rupture, which is what makes the issue life-threatening.

This type of aneurysm tends to grow slowly and without many associated symptoms. Abdominal aortic aneurysms affect smokers and older men most often. It’s difficult to assess whether you could have one without getting a screening done. However, signs like a pulsating feeling in your navel area and pain in your back, belly, or side can point to the need for further investigation by a healthcare professional.

There are several factors that can increase your chances of suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. You could be at a higher risk if you’re male, a smoker, have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms, and lead a lifestyle that isn’t conducive to general health.

Dealing with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms sometimes require surgery. When surgery is required, a doctor will manually fix the aneurysm so that it can’t burst and threaten your life. However, this is only necessary if the aneurysm is already very large or if it’s growing rapidly. If you have a smaller aneurysm, your doctor will likely recommend a simple monitoring regiment to make sure it doesn’t grow any larger.

Of course, the best treatment strategy is to prevent an abdominal aortic aneurysm from occurring in the first place. Unfortunately, older adults are simply unable to avoid all of the risk factors for this health concern since age and gender are two of the most significant. However, they can take some action to reduce their chances of experiencing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

If you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do to avoid this issue is to quit smoking now. Doing so will even help to slow down the growth of an existing aneurysm. Additionally, you can start living a healthier lifestyle by controlling your weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, and avoiding stimulants.

Medicare and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Older adults with Medicare health insurance can use their coverage to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Individuals who are at risk receive one free abdominal aortic screening from their Part B Medicare plan. This is an excellent way to learn more about your health and should be taken advantage of by all who it’s available to you.

If you’d like to learn more about whether you qualify for a free abdominal aortic aneurysm screening through Medicare, get in touch with Time For 65. We’ll walk you through your options and tell you more about how Medicare can help you deal with abdominal aortic aneurysms. To get started, fill out this form or give us a call.