Drinking green tea to prevent artery explosion

Kyoto: Japan's favorite beverage might be offering more than just a relaxing tea break. According to new research, green tea could prevent a deadly condition in the body's main artery. A Kyoto University team has found that abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a condition in which the main artery becomes overstretched and bloated -- developed less frequently in rats that drank green tea polyphenol, a major component of green tea.

Aneurysm screening should be revisited, say experts: Data suggest considerable harm

BMJ: Aneurysm screening for men over 65 should be revisited as it is unknown whether the benefits outweigh the harms, argue researchers in The BMJ this week. This article is part of a series on overdiagnosis looking at the risks and harms to patients of expanding definitions of disease and increasing use of new diagnostic technologies. An interactive graphic illustrating the risks of overdiagnosis among men invited for aneurysm screening is also available.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Sources: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute /  BMC surgery / BMC surgery
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your body.
Arteries have thick walls to withstand normal blood pressure. However, certain medical problems, genetic conditions, and trauma can damage or injure artery walls. The force of blood pushing against the weakened or injured walls can cause an aneurysm.
An aneurysm that occurs in the abdominal portion of the aorta is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).