Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Season 8

Episode 12: Thoracic Disease

The weakening of the body's principle artery, the aorta, under high blood pressure can, over time, cause a ballooning effect that, if left untreated, could lead to a fatal rupture. In an effort to head off this problem, clinicians and researchers are promoting more preemptive screenings for people 50 years of age and older. They also continue to improve on new endoprosthesis to surgically treat aneurysms. This Healthy Body Healthy Mind program explores the relationship between thoracic aneurysms in the chest area, and aortic aneurysms near the abdomen.