Does anyone know anything about the Superior Mesenteric artery?

Hi @jamiemj, I pulled your question into its own discussion. As you know the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a major artery that branches off the abdominal aorta to supply oxygenated blood to the midgut, including the small intestine, the cecum, and the proximal part of the large intestine. For this reason, I've added your discussion to the Aortic Aneurysms support group as well as the Digestive Health support group.

You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- Anyone else have Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS)?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/we-need-awarenesspreventionresearching-on-very-rare-condition-smas-superior-mesenteric-artery-syndro/

@jamiemj, what has your doctor recommended to manage the blockage and the aneurysm?

I just found out that I have Superior Mesenteric artery calcifications snd a spelnic artery aneurysm. This is supposed to indicate advanced arterialsclorosis. Doesn't anyone else out there have this problem?
If so how are you being treated? Thank you.

ty colleen young

Hi, @jamiemj. I don't have any experience with blockages in the Superior Mesenteric Artery. However, I do have experience with atherosclerosis. I had an x-ray of my hip that showed calcifications. After the x-ray, my doctor asked if I wanted a Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) test. The CAC showed calcifications in my coronary arteries. So then I began seeing a cardiologist (in my particular case, the calcifications were significant **but** no blockages greater than 50%, which means no intervention). They also did an ankle brachial index (ABI) test. That is a test to see whether the blockages in the arteries in your legs is significant enough to require intervention. Again, I got lucky. The arteries are dilated, probably due to the atheroclerosis, but I passed the ABI test.

I really don't know how common or "significant" a 50% blockage is in that artery, but I'd guess they might do some additional testing to see if you have atherosclerosis elsewhere. In the coronary artery world, they don't intervene before a blockage is 70%. The goal of the testing would be to see if any blockages might need to be treated. Often (usually?) they don't require intervention and they will keep a little bit closer eye on you, perhaps put you on a statin and give you the spiel about how to stop the progression of atherosclerosis.

Good luck! If you want to learn more about coronary atherosclerosis (which you don't necessarily have) head over to the Heart and Blood Health group. There is a wealth of experience with coronary artery atherosclerosis over there.

Thank you very much for your information. I don't know why but my family doctor seems hesitant to point me toward any further testing.
I do want to know what can be done to help this and if the CAC test will show the advancement of further calcifications I want to know for sure. Unfortunately, I have already been diagnosed with arteriolosclerosis. Thank you for referring the heart and blood group also