Complications, Risk Factors, And Causes Of Temporal Arteritis

Aortic Aneurysm

Temporal arteritis can cause the blood vessels to become weaker than they were in the past. As damage in the blood vessel builds up, a bulge can begin to develop and blood pools in it. The bulge, called an aneurysm, can rupture, which can be fatal. In temporal arteritis, an aneurysm can develop in the aorta. An aortic aneurysm is incredibly life-threatening. If it ruptures, an individual can bleed out internally in seconds. Having an aneurysm in the aorta also increases the risk of aortic dissection, a tear in the wall of the aorta. This condition is also deadly. In patients with temporal arteritis who have no other risk factors for an aortic aneurysm, the risk of developing one is twice that of someone without temporal arteritis. Interestingly, diabetes protects against developing an aneurysm. If a patient ends up developing such an aneurysm, surgical intervention may be needed.

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