Do you know the signs and symptoms of an aortic aneurysm? Between diet, exercise, and medical appointments, keeping healthy can be a full-time job. That’s why it’s a great idea to know the symptoms of worrisome ailments ahead of time. That way, you can identify them straight away and nip ‘em in the bud before anything major develops! That’s certainly the case with aortic aneurysm, which sounds like a scary condition, but is actually a manageable syndrome that most people can control with just a few lifestyle changes. However, aortic aneurysm, which is a weakness in your body’s main blood vessel, can quickly turn into a major, life-threatening problem — like a lethal blood clot — if left untreated. Knowing how to identify the symptoms can help you take action early, and early intervention can be vital to protecting your health later on. Scroll through below to learn more about what an aortic aneurysm is, what the complications are, how to spot one, and how to lower your risk. What Is An Aortic Aneurysm? Most people hear the word “aneurysm” and immediately think it’s an ailment that only effects the brain. Most people also believe an aneurysm is when a blood vessel bursts. In fact, an aneurysm can develop in the blood vessels of any part of your body and doesn’t necessarily mean that the vessel has burst. Technically, the Mayo Clinic defines an aneurysm as “an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel.” An “aortic aneurysm” specifically impacts the aorta, which runs through the abdomen and chest, and is the body’s largest and most important artery. What Are The Complications? If you develop an aortic aneurysm, it’s not usually an immediate medical emergency; it just means that there’s a weakened section of the artery wall, which is bulging out. However, developing an aortic aneurysm can open you up to all sorts of scary complications. For example, if blood is flowing inefficiently through a damaged blood vessel, you have a higher risk of developing a blood clot, which can prove fatal if it travels to the brain, heart, or lungs. Even more dangerous is the risk of aortic dissection. This is what happens if the wall of the aorta actually does burst. Depending on the size and location of the break, the internal bleeding from a dissection can be lethal without immediate medical intervention. What Are The Symptoms Of An Aortic Aneurysm? Symptom #1: Persistent Pain In Abdomen Abdominal pain is often one of the first symptoms of aortic aneurysm. If you experience this symptom, don’t jump to any conclusions, because it is a common sign of lots of minor ailments. However, pay close attention to your pain. It might be intermittent or constant, and it may feel like an aching sensation (like a bruise) or a gnawing feeling (like hunger pain). You might also feel the same pain in one area of your belly for a long time. Pay attention if pain keeps cropping up in one general area without ever really going away. Make sure a doctor checks it out. Symptom #2: Ache That Radiates To Back & Legs Your aorta runs right through the middle of your body cavity. If you start to develop a weak spot, the pain from the aneurysm might radiate out to whichever section of the trunk is closest. For example, you might feel a sharp pain in your side, but also have an aching sensation that is referred up your back and down into your buttocks and your legs. Referred pain might feel like the dull ache of a spreading bruise, or it could feel like a deep grinding sensation. Symptom #3: Pulsating Feeling Near Bellybutton You can often feel your heart beating in blood vessels that are close to the skin; that’s why you can feel your pulse in your neck or your wrist. Blood pumps at the same rhythm through your aortic artery, but most people can’t feel it. Very slender people might be able to feel a slight pulse just above or below their bellybutton, and some people can also feel a pulse when they lie down, so it’s not necessarily something to worry about. However, if you feel a strong pulse in your belly accompanied by pain — regardless of size, posture, or any other factor — you should get a doctor’s opinion right away. Symptoms #4: Nausea and Vomiting Nausea and vomiting can be symptoms of a huge range of conditions. If you’re just sick for a few days, you’re most likely dealing with a stomach bug or a case of food poisoning. However, if you experience consistent nausea and vomiting over the course of weeks or months, you need to get a doctor to check you out. Only a doctor can look at your symptoms to help you rule out chronic digestive issues, like Crohn’s disease or IBS. If you have a normal appetite and then don’t get nauseous until after you eat or go for a run, you may be dealing with nausea triggered by an aortic aneurysm. Symptom #5: Shivering And Sweating If you suddenly start shivering and sweating, and you don’t have a fever, it’s likely that you need immediate medical attention. Shivering and sweating are classic symptoms of shock, and they might be your first indication that something has gone wrong. Most aortic aneurysms have no symptoms until a complication develops, so sudden shock symptoms might be your first warning sign. It’s also worth noting that you can go into shock from small injuries too, but the dangerous drop in blood pressure that comes with going into shock often requires medical treatment. What Can You Do? If you want to protect yourself from aortic aneurysm and the complications that come with it, you need to take a few steps. Know your risk factors: Men, people over the age 0f 60, people with high blood pressure, and people with arteriosclerosis are more likely to suffer from aortic aneurysm. Get screened regularly: If you suspect you have an aortic aneurysm, see a doctor to get a confirmation. If you do have an aneurysm, follow your doctor’s advice closely and go in for checkups every few months to make sure the weak spot hasn’t grown. You may eventually need surgery to repair the spot. Source
