DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please discuss aneurysms.

My wife, age 62, died of a chest aneurysm three years ago. She had a yearly exam, but the doctor failed to detect it. She died in her sleep at an age that I consider too young. An autopsy showed that the aneurysm had broken, and she died from a hemorrhage.

I, too, had an aneurysm. It was in the stomach area. My doctor discovered it on a routine exam and made all the appointments for further testing and treatment. The aneurysm was successfully removed.

I can’t ever forgive my wife’s doctor for not recognizing her aneurysm. — J.J.

ANSWER: Aneurysms are bulges of an artery’s wall. They’re weak spots. They can occur on any artery, but they occur most often on the aorta and brain arteries.

The aorta runs from the heart, down the chest cavity, and then enters the abdominal cavity to end at the bottom of that cavity.

Your wife’s aneurysm occurred in the chest section of her aorta. Such an aneurysm is all but impossible to detect on an ordinary physical exam. I take it she had no symptoms that suggested to the doctor that she might have this problem.

Your aneurysm was located in the abdominal part of the aorta. Here, aneurysms are much easier to detect. The doctor might hear a noise created by blood flowing through the dilated aorta, or he or she might be able to feel the pulsations of the aneurysm. Neither of these is possible in the chest section of the aorta.

You can’t be so hard on your wife’s doctor. His task was an all but impossible one. And I say this not in an attempt to clear a fellow doctor, but in an attempt to explain to you what happened.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a yearly exam, with blood work done before the doctor’s exam. He has the results when I see him in the office. This year, for the first time, he told me my electrolytes were fine. I thanked him. I have no idea what electrolytes are. Will you tell me? — H.L.

ANSWER: Electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate. They’re called electrolytes because they carry an electric charge. Each of them has important and different roles to play in the body. They’re involved in the production of the heartbeat, the transmission of nerve signals, in blood pressure control and the balance between the body’s acids and bases.

The story of these minerals is told in the booklet on sodium, potassium and other minerals. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 202. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am on two blood pressure medicines. I read that taking blood pressure medicine is hard on the heart. I want to know how I can get off medicines. — M.S.

ANSWER: Blood pressure medicines are not hard on the heart. High blood pressure is. The medicines prevent heart and artery damage. Lowering pressure relieves a great burden on the heart and arteries. It prevents things like heart attacks and strokes.

Most of the time, the commitment to blood pressure medicine is a lifelong commitment. However, changing some aspects of life might lower pressure enough that you could stop the medicine. Weight loss is one important step. Daily exercise is another. Walking at a fairly brisk rate counts as exercise. Lowering salt intake is another way to lower blood pressure. Eating foods high in potassium brings down pressure. Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. Potatoes and bananas are two good sources. Don’t go off medicine unless your doctor says it’s safe. Do you take your own pressure? You should. Home kits are not expensive or hard to use. Drugstores sell them.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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