What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

Riverside Heart and Vascular Center

If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA):

You may have no symptoms at all.
You may feel pain in the middle or lower part of the left side of your abdomen. This pain may come and go or be felt all the time.
You may feel pain in your lower back.
You or healthcare provider may feel a mass or lump that beats (like a heartbeat) in your abdomen.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Aneurysms

Aneurysms form balloons in weakened arteries of our bodies, potentially causing life-threatening problems such as a stroke. Although aneurysms can form in any weakened artery, they commonly occur in the arteries of the brain and in the aorta, the central artery that extends from your heart through the center of your abdomen and chest. Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, can weaken the arteries, which deliver oxygenated blood from our heart to the rest of our bodies. The pressure of blood traveling through the arteries can lead to this balloon-like bulge. You can have an aneurysm for years without symptoms or problems. Others can have an aneurysm that pops, which can lead to a stroke if bleeding occurs in the brain. Ruptured aneurysms must be treated quickly, usually within minutes, or it can become deadly: about 50% of all ruptured aneurysms are fatal.

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