Low blood pressure. A metal mesh tube on the end of the catheter is placed at the site of. Ischemic stroke. Shortness of breath if the aneurysm presses on your lung. [citation needed] The skeletal and ocular manifestations of Marfan syndrome can also be serious, although not. Tests. The researchers explain that being able to move the thumb in such a way can indicate that a patient has the long bones and lax joints associated with connective tissue diseases, including aneurysms. Thumb test for Aortic Aneurysm,help determine if someone is suffering from an aortic aneurysm that is hiddenthat could be fatal 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). An aneurysm may occur in any blood vessel, but is most often seen in an artery rather than a vein. An AAA is a bulge in the part of your aorta that travels through your belly (abdominal aorta). 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. 1 Even. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. 03. An aneurysm is an expansion or bulge of a blood vessel to more than 1. Ischemic stroke. 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. 0 cm, or 1. [1] An aneurysm occurs when the typical diameter of the artery increases by 50%. However, “spreading knowledge of this test may very well identify carriers of silent aneurysms and save lives,” said Dr. Feeling full after not eating very much. S. The majority of true aneurysms were due to repetitive micro-trauma from occupational injury, for example metal work, radiography and professional golf. AAA is a localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta: an aortic diameter >3. Elefteriades and others published Reply to the Positive Predictive Value of the Thumb-Palm Test for General Population Screening of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. S. Though occurrence of TAAs is rare, they. Carotid arteries are generally tightened by a accumulation of plaque – made up of fat, cholesterol. 1 The goal of aortic aneurysm repair is to prevent the high morbidity and mortality associated with aneurysm rupture. Hindfoot deformity — 2Thoracic aortic aneurysms often go unnoticed because people rarely feel symptoms. Cerebral aneurysms: Also called brain aneurysms, these aneurysms affect an artery in your brain. Thumb test for aneurysm. An infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent, localized dilation in the aortic wall defined by a diameter 50% greater than an adjacent, presumably normal aortic segment (≥3. Less common but potentially serious causes of a numb thumb include a stroke, a heart attack, or. Important advances have been made in the diagnosis and medical and surgical care of. . deaths. Elective treatment of asymptomatic AAA, either as open surgery or endovascular repair, is recommended when the maximum diameter of the aneurysm exceeds 50-55mm or increases rapidly. Blood vessels that send blood to the brain (brain. Symptoms may include groin pain, syncope, paralysis, and flank mass. If an aneurysm smaller than 5. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Spirometry is safe as. Large abdominal aortic aneurysms may rupture (break open) unexpectedly. Rapid heart rate. In some circumstances, affected individuals can show subtle cysts of the colored portion of the eye (iris floculi) or a visible capillary network below the skin with a honeycomb appearance. 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. An ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, angiogram,. Advertisement. Treatment of dissecting aneurysms of aorta without surgery. severe abdominal pain. Their hospital-based study population comprised 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including 93 patients (30. This is how the thumb test, which is supposed to indicate an aortic aneurysm, works. The wall of the aorta is made up of layers. Pressure on a nerve is one of the most common causes of a numb thumb. Thumb aneurysm test. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. Pectus carinatum deformity — 2. 1 This document provides. 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. Screenings are examinations that seek illness before you have signs and symptoms. Photo illustration by WeBeFit; Facebook; Twitter; WhatsApp; SMS; Email; Print; Copy article link; Save; WEBEFIT. February 4 108 views. 4%). The prevalence of AAA has declined over the past 2 decades among screened men 65 years or older in various countries such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden, and Denmark. Thoracoabdominal aneurysm, a complex aneurysm that involves branches of the abdominal aorta that supply blood to the liver, intestines and kidneys. To make the diagnosis your provider may order some tests. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as an aorta having a diameter of at least one and a-half times the normal diameter of the aorta at the level of the renal arteries [1]. This accumulation, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading causes of stroke. 2 For guidance on other preoperative tests, see the NICE guideline on routine preoperative tests for elective surgery. 4%) and non-AscAA disease in 246 (80. The thumb-palm test is. In the United States, the estimated prevalence is 1. S. 5 cm in diameter. These aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they rupture which is a catastrophic complication. While most did not produce a positive result, those who did had a greater. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a secure, painless treatment that makes use of acoustic waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries. Of. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta, the main blood vessel that ferries blood from the heart throughout the chest and the rest of the body. ; An ultrasound: This test utilizes sound waves to make images of the body’s organs. 4 and 7. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, transporting freshly oxygenated blood from the heart towards the awaiting cells. You can get some screenings in. increased aortic stiffness. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is largely an asymptomatic disease, but the aneurysm may rupture with subsequent mortality rates of at least 80% if early detection and elective AAA repair are not performed [1–4]. Photo illustration by WeBeFit; Facebook; Twitter; WhatsApp; SMS; Email; Print; Copy article link; Save;. As an aortic aneurysm grows, you might notice symptoms including: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. An abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is a quick and painless imaging test that checks for signs of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. Feel your skin to see if it's clammy. Thumb palm test for aortic aneurysm. Some people have no symptoms, but others have facial swelling, hoarseness or a throbbing lump they can feel in their neck. This process is called a dissection. Common risk factors for AAA include advancing age, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and the male gender. While the condition may cause discomfort, it typically goes undetected unless it. , repairs of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms and aneurysms of vessels other than the aorta. Thumb Palm Test Aortic Aneurysm. 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 pa…Introduction. have high blood pressure. Family history and genetics. The outcomes can aid your doctor establish a therapy to lower your stroke risk. A carotid ultrasound is done to evaluate for narrowed carotid arteries, which boost the threat of stroke. 4% among people between 50 and 84 years of age, or 1. Wrist or thumb sign — 1. A higher risk of complications is seen in large or rapidly enlarging aortic aneurysms, uncontrolled hypertension, and smoking. A metal mesh tube on the end of the catheter is placed at the site of. Aneurysm thumb palm test. 10 Risk factors include hypertension, increasing age, tobacco use, atherosclerosis, and congenital lesions (eg, bicuspid aortic valve and aortic coarctation). This test has a high specificity (98. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when atherosclerosis or plaque buildup causes the walls of the abdominal aorta to become weak and bulge outward like a balloon. 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. A family history of aneurysm may increase your risk for. 3 For any given patient. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. An aneurysm can be a true aneurysm or a false aneurysm. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. • Avoid strenuous activities. Thumb test for aneurysm. 1 The success of current medical and surgical treatment of aortic disease in MFS has substantially improved the average life expectancy, extending it up to 70 years. Thumb test for aortic aneurysms. 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. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome [5] The clinical features discussed here are seen in all types of EDS , but their severity may vary and certain symptoms predominate depending on the. Sustained subcutaneous angiotensin II infusion can induce aortic aneurysms in mice. 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. Thumb palm test aneurysm. 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. Thumb-palm test. An aneurysm is defined as a segmental, full-thickness dilation of a blood vessel 50 percent greater than its normal diameter [ 2,3 ]. They can also be hereditary. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Walk In Lab Health Screening: Thumb Test For Aortic Aneurysms. 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. The force of blood pumping can split the layers of the artery wall, allowing blood to leak in between them. The thumb-palm test is. 4%) and non-AscAA disease in 246 (80. This accumulation, called atherosclerosis, is among the leading sources of stroke. deaths. They are more common in men. One, in the chest, is a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Atherosclerosis is a common cause. And 0. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. Finding an aortic aneurysm before it ruptures offers your best chance of recovery. Ischemic stroke. , 2016). Positive Predictive Value of the Thumb-Palm Test for General Population Screening of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Am J Cardiol . I71. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening ultrasound test for abdominal aneurysms for men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. Thumb test for Aortic Aneurysm. Some people are born with them. Methods: This was a retrospective. An ascending aortic root aneurysm procedure may be done in two ways. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Thumb test for Aortic Aneurysm. All in favor of a test for aortic aneurysms, raise your hand. . amjcard. 1965; 50: 364–373. 36 These patients with. Aortic aneurysm is characterized by a permanent increase in the diameter of the aorta (>50% increase). deaths. 6%) (including CABG, valve repair, and descending aortic aneurysm). Introduction. 2. The classic presentation of MFS includes aortic aneurysm or dissection, long extremities, arachnodactyly, joint hypermobility, and subluxation of the lens of the eye. • An abnormal bulging of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. The results can aid your physician identify a therapy to decrease your stroke threat. deaths. deaths. The aorta – the body’s largest artery that is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away. This accumulation, called atherosclerosis, is just one of the leading root causes of stroke. Testing tests can discover illness early, when they’re much easier to deal with. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Max Gomez reports. And eat lean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Thumb test aneurysm. 7 cm Ascending aortic and arch disease, Behcet’s syndrome, and Reiter syndrome). The prevalence of the disease depends on the population studied, with reported prevalences varying between 1. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. 5%) for the thumb-palm test in detecting ascending aortic aneurysm. Men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked should undergo a one-time ultrasound screening test for this condition. An aneurysm is a weak, bulging area in the aorta wall. A study has found a self-conducted test involving the thumb and palm of one hand could help alert people to their risk of having a hidden. 5%) but high specificity (98. Thumb test for aneurysm. Three in four aortic aneurysms are AAAs. 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. Seminal work from various researchers have identified several genetic factors and mutations that predispose to aortic aneurysms, which will aid in better screening and early. 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 in 59 (19. Thumb test for aortic aneurysms. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a secure, painless procedure that makes use of acoustic waves to take a look at the blood flow through the carotid arteries. In other words, the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive sign have a very high likelihood of harboring an ascending. As expected, this test is not sensitive (7. The thumb-palm test is. Carotid arteries are normally tightened by a buildup of plaque – composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) occur in up to 16 patients per 100 000 of the population and are increasingly amenable to surgical correction [1]. Possible warning signs include: Pain in your jaw, neck, chest or upper back. Introduction. Talk to your primary care provider about whether you should be screened. That is to say, a positive test implies a substantial likelihood of harboring an ascending aortic aneurysm. be ordered when there is a previous positive genetic test result in the family. . g. As aneurysms get bigger, their risk of rupture increases. Thumb Test For Aortic Aneurysms. Especially aortic aneurysms such as aneurysms in the abdominal (AAA) or thoracic aorta (TAA) are a highly underestimated problem. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. 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 re. Jane Fonda Shares Her Perspective on Aging and Her Secrets for Staying Young at Heart. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), abnormal focal dilation of the abdominal aorta, is a life-threatening condition that requires monitoring or treatment depending upon the size of the aneurysm and/or symptomatology. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. If they burst, abdominal aortic aneurysms can be fatal. Thumb palm aneurysm test. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main blood vessel that leads away from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body. Also, an imaging contrast agent is given to the. Thumb-palm test may indicate risk of aortic aneurysm, researchers say Erica Carbajal - Thursday, May 27th, 2021 Print | Email Listen While keeping the palm. Thumb Test For Aortic Aneurysms. Treating Aortic Aneurysm. A CT scan is considered a very safe procedure and generally involves only a small amount of X-ray radiation exposure. Atherosclerotic aortic wall damage has. Aortic disease can also. Monitor your overall health. The other is in the abdomen and is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An aortic aneurysm is a swelling or bulging at any point along the aorta. 5 centimeters in diameter is found, it should be followed for 6 to 12 months to. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. This is due to an embolus (moving blood clot) that is formed by the abdominal aneurysm and affects the surface temperature of the skin. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. The self-conducted test, proposed by experts affiliated with the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven Hospital, requires holding up one hand as if signaling. When this happens in the aorta (one of the main blood vessels in the body), it’s called an aortic aneurysm. Thumb Test Aneurysm. Lumbar puncture, known as a spinal tap. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. Sources mention the thumb palm test consists of holding up one hand and. Business, Economics, and Finance. Your two carotid arteries are located on each side of your neck. Dr. Screening. Possible warning signs include: Pain in your jaw, neck, chest or upper back. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. Just stick out your hand like you’re telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your pa…Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): Abdominal aortic aneurysms may form where your aorta carries blood into your abdomen (belly). Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. doi: 10. With increasing use of endovascular techniques for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms, the prevalence of leakage into excluded aneurysm sacs (endoleaks) as a complication has risen. Because the section with the aneurysm is overstretched and weak, it can burst. This accumulation, called atherosclerosis, is just one of the leading causes of stroke. However, an aneurysm can occur in different parts of the aorta, including the abdominal section which runs into the arteries in the legs. 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. The aorta is the large blood vessel that the heart pumps into via the aortic valve every time it beats. Things like shoveling snow, chopping. 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. It is estimated that an. Synonym: Bulging of Wall of Large Artery Located above Heart. There are also rare, idiopathic cases. Ultrasonography is the most cost-effective method of detecting these aneurysms and keeping them under. CTA: This is a special type of CT scan that focuses on the blood vessels. Although "normal" diameter varies with age, sex, and body habitus, the average diameter of the human infrarenal aorta is approximately 2. The test should especially. The thumb-palm test is. Chest X-ray. WATCH: FOX 56 News from 5-9 a. Imaging tests can be used to confirm or screen for a thoracic aortic aneurysm. If it becomes significantly large it can lead to catastrophic complications. A carotid ultrasound is done to test for tightened carotid arteries, which increase the threat of stroke. Hindfoot deformity — 2 Methods: Patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with root-sparing ascending replacement were compared with those who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement using propensity score matching (81 pairs; mean age, 63 ± 11 years [root-sparing ascending replacement] vs 64 ± 14 years). Aneurysm is defined as the segmental dilation of a vessel, involving all the three wall layers, with at. FBN1 spans about 230 kb of genomic DNA containing 66 exons (NM_000138. 041. Clinical features and differential diagnosis of aortic dissection: experience with 236 cases (1980 through 1990). 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. 6%) with ascending aortic aneurysm as diagnosed by transesophageal. Thumb Palm Test For Aneurysm. For people with small, asymptomatic aortic aneurysms, doctor may opt to monitor the aneurysm at regular intervals using ultrasound or CT scans. Their hospital-based study population comprised 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including 93 patients (30. 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. 0 in women. Aneurysms can develop anywhere in the aorta. 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. Symptoms that a thoracic aortic aneurysm has ruptured or dissected include: Sharp, sudden pain in the upper back that spreads downward. If you are unsure that you are at risk for having an aortic aneurysm, then you can do a thumb-palm test to determine whether you are at risk or not. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. 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. THORACIC ANEURYSM. A negative thumb test does not guarantee an aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down through the chest and tummy Credit: Alamy. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. It may occur in any blood vessel, but most often develops in an artery rather than a vein. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading sources of stroke. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. 1 Even when considering just the “sporadic” aneurysms (ie, aneurysms in which there is no evidence of a syndromic, familial, or known genetic etiology), a. Clammy skin can be a tell-tale symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Introduction. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) rarely manifest with symptoms, and about 95% of the patients. The most typical manifestation of rupture is abdominal or back pain with a pulsatile abdominal mass. Abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment options may include: Endovascular repair. Elefteriades says aortic aneurysms are more common than we used to think, and they can happen with no warning. Rapid heart rate. Most of the aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis whilst trauma, infection and genetic syndromes are other causes. The thumb-palm test is. Accuracy of the “thumb-palm test” for detection of ascending aortic aneurysm. 5 times the normal diameter of 2. 800. No confirmatory test exists,. If it is larger than normal, your provider may recommend another screening later to check for growth. The larger an aneurysm grows, the more likely it will burst or rupture, causing intense abdominal or back pain. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. Ischemic stroke. To evaluate the impact of the technique at distal. 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. Aortic aneurysms can happen anywhere along the length of the aorta, but they are most common in the lower part. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of I71. The aorta is the largest artery. g. The most common emergency test for aortic aneurysm involves a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, and possibly abdomen and pelvis. Another aortic disease, which often occurs in the presence of aortic aneurysms, is called aortic dissection. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease has the characteristic of heredity with variable genetic penetrance. You have more than one aneurysm along the length of the aorta. Introduction. The thumb test has been recommended as a way of identifying ascending aortic aneurysms, the part of the blood vessel which comes out of the heart upwards. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. 4%) and non-AscAA disease in 246 (80. 5%), meaning that a positive test accurately connotes an aneurysm. Thumb Test Aortic Aneurysm. Aneurysms can develop in several parts of the body, including: The body's main artery, called the aorta (aortic aneurysm). Numbness in the thumb can also happen if the nerve supply to the thumb and hand is injured or affected by a medical condition. “Our study showed that the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive test have a high likelihood of harboring an aneurysm,”. For instance, risks of aortic rupture. It is not known how accurate this test may be. An unusual pulsing sensation, pain, or a lump anywhere blood vessels are. Aortic root dilation (with a z score ≥ 2 for adults ages 20 or older or a z score ≥ 3 for patients younger than age 20) Systemic feature scoring table Feature and value. This puts the aorta at risk for rupturing, which can. . To do the “thumb palm test”, hold up one hand and keep the palm flat. There are two primary types of aortic aneurysms. Normally the abdominal aorta is a round circular structure that resembles a pipe, roughly the size of a golf ball. A simple thumb test that you can do from the comfort of your own home can reveal if you're at risk of a deadly heart problem. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. 36 These patients with a positive thumb. . Being able to move the thumb in that way is an indirect indication that a person’s joints are lax. The test produces images that are 2D slices of the brain. Depending on the gene, aneurysm may occur in the context of a recognizable genetic syndrome (e. The abdominal aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and is usually around 2cm wide – roughly the width of a garden hose. those with a positive family history. However, “spreading knowledge of this test may very well identify carriers of silent aneurysms and save lives,” said Dr. 0 cm or more. 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. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the easiest type to identify and follow, Brown says. Ischemic stroke. S. (3). Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. Yale Experts Explain How to Test Yourself for Aortic Aneurysms With a Thumb Test. When an aneurysm develops, the aorta expands and its walls become weaker.