What are the symptoms of an aortic aneurysm?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:In the majority of aneurysm cases, there are no warning symptoms. More likely, an aortic aneurysm is detected with an X-ray or during a routine physical examination. If an individual experiences symptoms, they tend to be relatively specific, except for severe chest pain that may be mistaken for a heart attack.
- Hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing, or persistent cough may indicate a saccular or fusiform aneurysm in the chest area.
- A throbbing lump in the abdomen, a severe backache, leg pain or a feeling of coldness in the leg (due to an embolus from a clot formed in an abdominal aneurysm), or severe abdominal pain (due to the rupture of an abdominal aneurysm) may indicate a saccular or fusiform aneurysm in the abdomen.
In the majority of aneurysm cases, there are no warning symptoms. More likely, an aortic aneurysm is detected with an X-ray or during a routine physical examination. If an individual experiences symptoms, they tend to be relatively specific, except... More -
Dr. Stephen R Hazelrigg of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons answered:An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or dilation of the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins at the heart and curves to run along the spine and provides blood flow to all major organs in the body. An aneurysm causes stretching and thinning of the layers of the artery and this thinning can result ultimately in a rupture, which is a life threatening event. Aneurysms may occur anywhere in the aorta; however they are most commonly seen in the lower aorta in the abdomen. Most people do not have any symptoms with an aortic aneurysm, but may notice a throbbing or pulsing area above the belly button. Rarely, the aneurysm may have some inflammation around it that causes the area to be tender or painful. When these aneurysms become very large, they may produce some back discomfort due to pressure near the spine. If they do burst, they usually produce severe pain and sweating and patients are acutely aware that something is wrong. Finally aneurysms often contain sand-like deposits inside the artery due to the currents that are produced as they enlarge. Occasionally these particles can dislodge and go downstream to produce symptoms such as blue areas on the toes.
One kind of aneurysm is a dissecting aneurysm, which results from a tear in the layers of the artery wall. This tear happens suddenly and patients usually have pain that is severe. This type of problem requires immediate attention in the hospital.
An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or dilation of the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins at the heart and curves to run along the spine and provides blood flow to all major organs in the body. An aneurysm causes... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Most people with thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysms have no symptoms and are discovered while the person is having an x-ray study for another reason or on physical exam. Some people complain of vague pain in the chest or abdomen and they may have a persistent cough and hoarseness. Large abdominal aneurysms can result in a pulsing feeling in the abdomen or chest.
When an aneurysm ruptures, the internal bleeding can cause intense back, abdominal, or chest pain. People with a ruptured aneurysm may also experience signs of shock such as shaking, dizziness, fainting, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and sudden weakness.
Most people with thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysms have no symptoms and are discovered while the person is having an x-ray study for another reason or on physical exam. Some people complain of vague pain in the chest or abdomen and they may... More
