Glenn Professor of Surgery at Yale University and director emeritus of the Aortic Institute. The thumb-palm test is. 1 This document provides. These aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they rupture which is a catastrophic complication. Aortic disease can also. From these results, the authors suggested a piecewise exponential equation to estimate rupture rate that incorporated all the significant risk factors in the model. We suggest that the thumb-palm test be part of the standard physical examination, especially in patients with suspicion of ascending aortic aneurysm (e. Loh S: Endovascular solution to endoleak phenomenon after open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm Vascular & Endovascular Surgery 54 (7): 633-637,2020. Often the ECG result is normal in uncomplicated aortic aneurysms. Thumb test aneurysm. Other symptoms caused by internal bleeding and dropping blood pressure, such as a collapse, loss of consciousness, or otherwise becoming extremely unwell. “Only a minority of patients with aneurysms have a positive test. There are several causes of aneurysm dilatation such as direct trauma, chronic infections, acute infections, inflammatory. An ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, angiogram,. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common life‐threatening disease that affects 1% to 2% of men by the age of 65 years. . When this happens in the aorta (one of the main blood vessels in the body), it’s called an aortic aneurysm. A simple thumb test could be used to identify people at risk of a condition that can kill in minutes and has no symptoms. Some aortic aneurysms are hereditary or congenital, such as bicuspid aortic valve, infection or inflammatory conditions. Rapid heart rate. Carotid arteries are generally narrowed by a buildup of plaque – composed of fat,. An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to abnormally balloon out or widen. Ischemic stroke. Another aortic disease, which often occurs in the presence of aortic aneurysms, is called aortic dissection. If an aneurysm ruptures or causes an aortic dissection, you may experience a sudden onset of severe symptoms including: sudden severe chest or upper back pain, sometimes described as a tearing or ripping feeling. Thumb test for aortic aneurysms. 2015;102(8):902-906. A simple "thumb palm test" may indicate whether someone has an ascending aortic aneurysm, or a potentially fatal ballooning of a large artery in the heart. 1-10 Population-based studies in men older than 60 years have. Hoarseness. deaths. A simple “thumb palm test” may indicate whether someone has an ascending aortic aneurysm, or a potentially fatal ballooning of a large artery in the heart, researchers say, suggesting the test be. 5%) but high specificity (98. Shortness of breath. A carotid ultrasound is carried out to examine for narrowed carotid arteries, which boost the threat of stroke. Applicable To. 1. The part of the aorta that passes through the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm). Aortic disease can manifest as aortic failure in the form of life-threatening dissection or rupture that is sometimes preceded by aneurysm development 1,2,3 (Fig. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. If you have an aortic aneurysm, you can live with it and you’d have to do what you could to prevent a split or rupture. 4 and 7. Endovascular repair is a type of treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA. Look for symptoms of medical conditions that are risk factors for an aortic. The larger an aneurysm grows, the more likely it will burst or rupture, causing intense abdominal or back pain. 5 centimeters in diameter is found, it should be followed for 6 to 12 months to. • Avoid strenuous activities. Categories. One, in the chest, is a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Thumb palm test for aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm describes an aorta that is enlarged in size. 5 cm in diameter, are very common. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading sources of stroke. Tenderness or pain in the chest. Elytriades, MD, the William W. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the. There are two primary types of aortic aneurysms. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. An abdominal aortic aneurysm happens when the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the tummy (the aorta) becomes weakened. See how you save!Inherited thoracic aortopathies denote conditions in which abnormalities lead to thoracic aortic wall weakness or abnormal aortic hemodynamic profiles, predisposing patients to aortic dilatation, aneurysm formation, and acute aortic complications. 2. A carotid ultrasound is done to evaluate for narrowed carotid arteries, which boost the threat of stroke. 0 cm. No confirmatory test exists,. But a Yale study found that you can conduct your own test using the thumb and palm of one hand to assess your risk of having an aortic aneurysm. A thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an abnormal bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of the aortic artery running through the thorax (chest). We aimed to determine the association of infrarenal aortic neck angle and length and establish an optimal cutoff value to predict intraoperative neck complications and postoperative outcomes. deaths. Check your pulse in your arms and legs to see whether it feels weaker than normal. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. Aneurysms can develop in several parts of the body, including: The body's main artery, called the aorta (aortic aneurysm). 5%), meaning that a positive test accurately connotes an aneurysm. Doctors from Yale University claim that aortic aneurysms are the 13th highest cause of death in the US, responsible for 10,000 lives lost each year. • Involves cardiac surgery, vascular surgery & endovascular surgery, cardiovascular. Aneurysm Thumb Palm Test. loss of consciousness. Lumbar puncture, known as a spinal tap. deaths. We conducted the thumb-palm test in 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for a variety of disorders: ascending aneurysm. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. Causes of a Numb Thumb or Hand. Having symptoms may be a sign that your aortic aneurysm is about to burst. Synonym: Dilatation of Ascending Aorta. The threshold for surgery is still a subject of debate but varies between 5. A review of the relevant scientific publications, concerning the etiology, pathogeny, histology, and molecular markers is presented in this chapter. 029. A simple test of the thumb will help determine if someone is suffering from an aortic aneurysm that is hiddenthat could be fatal if not identified and untreated, a new study shows. evidence review A: risk factors for predicting presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. have high blood pressure. Hoarseness (if the aneurysm presses on nerves that affect your voice box ). They can also be hereditary. An aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta and as the aorta enlarges, it becomes thinner. Yale Experts Explain How to Test Yourself for Aortic Aneurysms With a Thumb Test. , 150 (2021), pp. These aneurysms risk major life-threatening complications such as rupture or dissection. 1965; 50: 364–373. Thumb Test For Aortic Aneurysm. 36 These patients with. The results can aid your physician identify a therapy to decrease your stroke threat. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a safe, painless treatment that uses acoustic waves to take a look at the blood flow via the carotid arteries. The diagnosis may be confused with renal calculus, diverticulitis, incarcerated hernia, or. Introduction. "If you have a positive thumb-palm test there's a pretty high likelihood that you may harbor a thoracic aneurysm," he said. 2021. As aneurysms get bigger, their risk of rupture increases. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. Doctors use multiple tests to confirm a brain aneurysm diagnosis: MRA: A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) scan is a type of MRI scan that's specifically for blood vessels. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of checking if there's a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your tummy. And the cause of the aortic aneurysm can be hereditary or congenital. We conducted the thumb-palm test in 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with intra-operative (TEE) for a variety of disorders: ascending aneurysm in 59 (19. 1 The most worrying complication of AAA is rupture, which is usually fatal, with a reported age‐adjusted annual mortality of 15. The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The most common emergency test for aortic aneurysm involves a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, and possibly abdomen and pelvis. . Now, don’t panic if your thumb stretches across your hand. a, b Histological analyses of surgically dissected aortic tissue samples from the proband with LDS and from a non-familial thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in a 70-year-old patient. Screenings are examinations that look for illness prior to you have signs and symptoms. No case of Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos or other collagen disorder was identified. We suggest that the thumb-palm test be part of the standard physical examination, especially in patients with suspicion of ascending aortic aneurysm (e. 6%) with ascending aortic aneurysm as diagnosed by transesophageal. Introduction. In 2021, researchers from Yale University published a study in the American Journal of Cardiology about a simple self-administered test utilizing the thumb and palm that can potentially inform. By Daniel Reynen Citizen Health Columnist; Dec 16, 2021 Dec 16, 2021; Facebook; Twitter;Thumb palm test for aortic aneurysm. Carotid arteries are generally narrowed by a build-up of plaque – comprised of. (3). 10 Risk factors include hypertension, increasing age, tobacco use, atherosclerosis, and congenital lesions (eg, bicuspid aortic valve and aortic coarctation). The condition also puts him at high risk for a thoracic aortic aneurysm—swelling in the upper part of the large artery that carries blood from the heart, down through the chest and into the. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. This accumulation, called atherosclerosis, is just one of the leading root causes of stroke. Rapid heart rate. Symptoms on exercise test clearly related to aortic stenosis. Though occurrence of TAAs is rare, they. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading sources of stroke. • Treatment includes open surgery,. 4), and >3000. Electrocardiogram (ECG) These tests are almost always done but are not enough to fully identify an aortic aneurysm or dissection (tear). 5cms in men, and 5. 4% and 12. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease has the characteristic of heredity with variable genetic penetrance. An aneurysm is defined as an abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel by more than 50% of its normal diameter. An aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and torso. These data provide valuable mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm, reveal diagnostic markers, and identify new therapeutic targets. Purpose To evaluate the use of aortic MR elastography (MRE)–derived AAA stiffness and stiffness ratio at baseline to identify the. 123. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is just one of the leading root causes of stroke. deaths. Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems. 4%) and non-AscAA disease in 246 (80. If your thumb can stretch beyond the edge of your hand, it is an indicator your joints may be lax, you may have connective tissue disease, and that can be a sign of a. 5 times normal size. Elefteriades. A Yale study has found that a self-conducted test involving the thumb and palm of one hand could help alert thousands of people each year to their risk of having a hidden aortic aneurysm. The chance of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm is 1 in 5 for people who have a parent, brother, sister, or child with the condition, what is known as a. There are also rare, idiopathic cases. Just stick out your hand like you’re telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your pa…Introduction. Screening for aortic aneurysm is usually done using ultrasound. Aortic aneurysms are permanent, localized dilations of the aorta that exceed the normal aortic diameter by at least 50%. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. Best Lab Near Me For Blood Tests And Health Screening – Thumb Test For Aortic Aneurysm. In 2021, researchers from Yale University published a study in the American Journal of Cardiology about a simple self-administered test utilizing the thumb and palm. As the tear extends along the wall of the aorta, blood can flow in between the layers of the blood vessel wall (dissection). It also can detect the presence of an aneurysm. Thumb test for aneurysm. g. The majority of true aneurysms were due to repetitive micro-trauma from occupational injury, for example metal work, radiography and professional golf. with one thumb pushing the trachea to one side while the other thumb and index finger feel deeply on either side of the SCM. S. Shortness of breath. If it is larger than normal, your provider may recommend another screening later to check for growth. aortic root diameter >55 mm. This is due to an embolus (moving blood clot) that is formed by the abdominal aneurysm and affects the surface temperature of. THIS simple thumb test can reveal if you’re at risk of a deadly heart problem. 1016/j. Aortic disease is the direct cause of close to 10 000 deaths annually in the United States. 5 Classic Exercises for Full-Body Fitness. Feel your skin to see if it's clammy. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a condition that occurs when part of the aorta becomes enlarged. 6. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. Carotid arteries are generally tightened by a accumulation of plaque – made up of fat, cholesterol. “Only a minority of patients with aneurysms have a positive test,”. Medical. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. The abdominal aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and is usually around 2cm wide – roughly the width of a garden hose. Pain in the chest, jaw, neck or arms. The new test could help to identify if a person has an unknown aortic aneurysm- an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel. Spirometry is safe as. For people with small, asymptomatic aortic aneurysms, doctor may opt to monitor the aneurysm at regular intervals using ultrasound or CT scans. 5%) but high specificity (98. Thumb Palm Test Aneurysm. A CT angiogram can create more-detailed images of the arteries providing blood flow in the brain. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. They are more common in men. Some symptoms can be a sign of a specific type of aneurysm: Pain in the abdomen or lower back extending into the groin and. Abdominal aortic aneurysm affects approximately 4–7% of men and 1–2% of women over the age of 65 years. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge that occurs in the wall of the body's main artery, called the aorta. The test involves injecting dye that makes it easier to observe blood flow. Formation and growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) may lead to rupture resulting in life threatening haemorrhage. Rupture is often lethal; mortality is 85 to 90%. Aortic aneurysm is a focal or diffuse dilatation of the aorta involving all three layers of the aortic wall. Thumb Test For Aortic Aneurysms. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a risk-free, pain free procedure that makes use of sound waves to check out the blood circulation via the carotid arteries. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in adults after age 65. However, “spreading knowledge of this test may very well identify carriers of silent aneurysms and save lives,” said Dr. An AAA is a localized dilatation caused by segmental weakening of the terminal aorta segment. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms cause no symptoms, but large ones may. Your two carotid arteries are located on each side of your neck. Dizziness or lightheadedness. Thumb-palm test may indicate risk of aortic aneurysm, researchers say Erica Carbajal - Thursday, May 27th, 2021 Print | Email Listen While keeping the palm. S. If an aneurysm smaller than 5. Symptoms of a burst aortic aneurysm include: Sudden severe abdominal (tummy) and/or back pain. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) account for three fourths of aortic aneurysms and may affect between 0. 16 The disease carries a complex genetic predisposition 17,18 and predominantly affects elderly. The intrarenal area of the abdomen, just below the kidneys, is one of the most common places to develop an abdominal aneurysm. Aortic disease or. However, in the case of an aortic aneurysm, an often hidden and potentially deadly heart condition, there’s now a simple at-home test that can prevent it from causing any harm. The purpose of this work was to explore the association between the features of a) carotid artery plaque and b) abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) plaques using multi-detector-CT Angiography. Smaller aneurysms under surveillance typically grow by 10% per year. Thumb test for Aortic Aneurysm. Multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that one-time, ultrasound-based abdominal aortic aneurysm. If your thoracic aortic aneurysm is small, your health care provider may recommend medicine and imaging tests to watch the aneurysm. Aneurysms of the aortic root and ascending aorta are typically diagnosed at younger patient ages than aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta (60 versus 72 years, respectively). Thumb Aneurysm Test. However, the relevance of using angiotensin II induction model to. 1. Aortic aneurysms are often diagnosed by a physical exam or an imaging test such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. Thumb palm test aneurysm. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. Symptoms that a thoracic aortic aneurysm has ruptured or dissected include: Sharp, sudden pain in the upper back that spreads downward. The thumb-palm test is not a guarantee that you will have an aneurysm, and not all aneurysm patients have stretchy thumbs. The other is in the abdomen and is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. 6%) (including CABG, valve repair, and descending aortic aneurysm). Cardinal manifestations include proximal aortic aneurysm, dislocation of the ocular lens, and long-bone overgrowth. Clinical Considerations: Patients with aortic abnormalities are at risk for enlargement, aneurysm development, dissection, and rupture. Although "normal" diameter varies with age, sex, and body habitus, the average diameter of the human infrarenal aorta is approximately 2. • Symptoms include chest or abdominal pain, cough, shortness of breath. 1,2 Aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they rupture. An ascending aortic aneurysm is a bulging area in the first part of the aorta, the main artery in your body. The new test could help to identify if a person has an unknown aortic aneurysm- an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel. The aorta is the large blood vessel that the heart pumps into via the aortic valve every time it beats. Aortic disease or an injury may also cause an aneurysm. , 2016; Longobardo et al. positive thumb–wrist and/or thumb–palm signs for Marfan syndrome. 223. Researchers evaluated the self-administered thumb-palm test's accuracy among 305 patients undergoing heart surgery for a number of disorders, including aortic aneurysms. In computed tomography, the upper limit for adults of the main PA diameter is 29 mm, and the upper limit of the. A family history of aneurysm may increase your risk for. Your two carotid arteries lie on each side of your. Difficulty breathing. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Types of Aortic Aneurysms. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. 6% of the people, depending on the population being studied (1 General reference Abdominal aortic diameter ≥ 3 cm typically constitutes an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aorta is your body’s largest artery. 0 in women. An aneurysm is defined as a focal dilatation of a blood vessel involving all 3 layers of the vessel wall. Thumb aneurysm test. 03. Numbness in the thumb can also happen if the nerve supply to the thumb and hand is injured or affected by a medical condition. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading sources of stroke. 2021 Dec 15;161:116-117. severe abdominal pain. Listening to your heart. Although there has been a decline in AAA incidence as a result of the decline in cigarette smoking, population-based studies in men older than 60 years still report an AAA. The thumb-palm test is. The test involves crossing the thump across the palm. g. 4. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. Profuse sweating. It forms as a sac of blood. Also, an imaging contrast agent is given to the. This occurs because of the weak connective tissues observed in people with aortic aneurysms enabling the thumb to protrude the. A simple thumb test can help indicate whether a person is harboring a hidden aortic aneurysm — which can prove fatal if left undetected and untreated, new research reveals. An aneurysm is defined as a localized dilatation of a vessel of >50% of the normal diameter and includes all layers of the given vessel. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. Talk to your primary care provider about whether you should be screened. This treatment is most often used to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Important advances have been made in the diagnosis and medical and surgical care of. This is a medical emergency. Patency of the corresponding digital artery should be confirmed through preoperative imaging or a digital Allen’s test. An AAA develops slowly over time and has few noticeable symptoms. Your 2 carotid arteries lie on each side of your neck. All in favor of a test for aortic aneurysms, raise your hand. smoke or used to smoke. It's often the screening method of choice for detecting an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a weakened, bulging spot in your abdominal aorta, the artery that runs through the. Ultrasonography is the most cost-effective method of detecting these aneurysms and keeping them under. Reply to the Positive Predictive Value of the Thumb-Palm Test for General Population Screening of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Am J Cardiol . Indications for surgical aortic valve replacement. Thumb palm test aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the easiest type to identify and follow, Brown says. This is how the thumb test, which is supposed to indicate an aortic aneurysm, works. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. Thumb palm test aneurysm. The aneurysm can burst completely, causing bleeding inside the body. Most people have no warning signs or symptoms until the. Thumb Test to detect Aortic AneurysmA simple thumb test could be used to identify people at risk of a condition that can kill in minutes and has no symptoms. A carotid ultrasound is done to test for narrowed carotid arteries, which boost the danger of stroke. Surgery is typically reserved for aortic aneurysms that are 5. All men aged 65 to 75 with a history of smoking should be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms using an ultrasound test. AAA may be detected incidentally or at the time of rupture. doi: 10. Imaging tests can be used to confirm or screen for a thoracic aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of a blood vessel. Screening. If the thumb extends past the very edge of the flat palm (don’t flex your palm!), this may indicate a hidden aneurysm. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. About abdominal aortic aneurysms. The pressure of blood leaving your heart can cause the wall of your aorta to bulge out, like a weak spot in a tire. The abdominal aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and is usually around 2cm wide – roughly the width of a garden hose. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are defined as having an aortic diameter of more than 3 cm. You’re more at risk if you: are male and aged 65 or over. The diagnosis can be made according to the 2010 revised Ghent criteria (Table 2) [3], which place particular focus on the cardiovascular manifestations (aortic root aneurysm and/or dissection), ectopia lentis, and molecular genetic testing of FBN1. This process is called a dissection. Am. To make the diagnosis your provider may order some tests. That is to say, a positive test implies a substantial likelihood of harboring an ascending aortic aneurysm. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. A self-conducted test involving the thumb & palm of one hand could help. His recent paper was published in the American Journal of Cardiology. breathlessness. Others relate to personal habits. Positive Predictive Value of the Thumb-Palm Test for General Population Screening of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Am J Cardiol . February 4 108 views. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a secure, painless treatment that utilizes sound waves to examine the blood flow via the carotid arteries. aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are the most fearsome consequences - findings suggestive of higher risk of aortic dissection are: family history of aortic dissection. Marfan’s syndrome is a systemic disorder of connective tissue caused by mutations in the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin 1. . They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. An MRI scan: This uilizes very strong. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) occur in up to 16 patients per 100 000 of the population and are increasingly amenable to surgical correction [1]. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an aneurysm in the lower part of the aorta, the large artery that runs through the torso. There are several causes of aneurysm dilatation such as direct trauma, chronic infections, acute infections, inflammatory. ; An ultrasound: This test utilizes sound waves to make images of the body’s organs. As an aortic aneurysm grows, you might notice symptoms including: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. True aneurysm of a thumb digital artery in a radiographer: a case report. It is estimated that an. Elefteriades and others published Reply to the Positive Predictive Value of the Thumb-Palm Test for General Population Screening of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. fainting or dizziness. Angiogram: For a traditional angiogram, doctors insert a catheter (a thin tube) into your body to. CryptoAn aortic aneurysm (say "a-OR-tik AN-yuh-rih-zum") is a bulge in a section of the aorta, the body's main artery. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, transporting freshly oxygenated blood from the heart towards the awaiting cells. Introduction. m. 1 It occurs when the abdominal aortic wall weakens, causing it to bulge or balloon. Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath as a result of pressure on the trachea (windpipe) Hoarseness as a result of pressure on the vocal cords. These aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they rupture which is a catastrophic complication. An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to abnormally balloon out or widen. And eat lean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Your two carotid arteries are located on each side of your neck. Less common but potentially serious causes of a numb thumb include a stroke, a heart attack, or aortic dissection. Synonym: Bulging of Wall of Large Artery Located above Heart. The thinner it is, the more likely it is to rupture, which is much like an over inflated balloon that is at high risk of popping. Cardiol.