Medication

Medications have no direct impact on an aneurysm, except by controlling the conditions that promote aneurysm growth. If the aneurysm is small, medication may be recommended to control lipid levels and blood pressure.

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Lipids are fats circulating in your bloodstream, also known as cholesterols and triglycerides. The ratio of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) to high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) affects the risk of developing plaque in your arteries. Arterial plaque can promote development of aortic aneurysms and/or dissections. Ideally this ratio should be low––a low LDL coupled with a high HDL. Generic drugs used to control lipid levels and establish favorable LDL to HDL ratios include statins, cholestyramines, colestipol, or gemfibrozil.

Anti-hypertensives such as beta-adrenergic blockers (beta blockers) may also be used to lower blood pressure to help reduce the growth rate of aortic aneurysms. Beta blockers are a group of more than a dozen different drugs that slow the heart rate, decrease the blood pressure, and reduce the contraction strength of the heart. However, some people may not be able to tolerate the side effects, such as nightmares, impotence, and fatigue.