When it comes to the aortic aneurysm, awareness can truly save lives. This silent yet dangerous condition often develops without clear warning signs, making it essential to understand the aortic aneurysm symptoms and the subtle signs of aortic aneurysm that might indicate something serious.
From chest or abdominal pain to a throbbing sensation near the navel, the aortic aneurysm signs and symptoms can vary widely and recognizing them early may prevent life-threatening complications.
Whether you’re researching the symptoms of aortic aneurysm or curious about heart aneurysm symptoms, this guide explains everything you need to know.

What is aortic artery?

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, as it extends from the heart through the middle of the chest and abdomen, so aneurysms can cause life-threatening bleeding.

Aortic Aneurysm Signs And Symptoms

An aortic aneurysm often develops silently and may not cause noticeable symptoms until it enlarges or ruptures. When symptoms occur, they can include a deep, persistent pain in the chest, abdomen, or back, along with a pulsating sensation near the navel. In advanced cases, sudden severe pain and low blood pressure can signal a rupture, which is a medical emergency.

Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms

The symptoms of an aortic aneurysm depend on its size and location. A thoracic aneurysm may cause chest pain, hoarseness, coughing, or difficulty breathing, while an abdominal aneurysm can present with abdominal or back pain and a throbbing mass in the abdomen. Many cases remain asymptomatic until the aneurysm becomes large or bursts.

Symptoms of an aortic aneurysm may appear gradually or suddenly as the aortic aneurysm in females symptoms. Some patients feel a steady pain in the back or stomach, while others notice shortness of breath or a sensation of fullness.

Heart Aneurysm Symptoms

A heart aneurysm, usually located in the left ventricle after a heart attack, can cause chest discomfort, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Over time, it may lead to reduced heart function or heart failure symptoms such as swelling in the legs and fluid retention.

Sign Of Aortic Aneurysm

One of the key signs of an aortic aneurysm is a pulsating feeling in the abdomen that matches the heartbeat. Other warning signs include steady pain in the chest or lower back and, in severe cases, dizziness or collapse from internal bleeding. These indicators require urgent medical evaluation.

Diagnosis Of Aneurysm

Diagnosis of an aneurysm and the aneurysm in groin typically involves imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to confirm the size and exact location. Doctors may also use echocardiography for thoracic aneurysms and review risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, or family history to guide further management.

What are types of aortic aneurysm?

Types of aortic aneurysm:

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm: an abdominal aortic aneurysm when it occurs in the abdominal part of the aortic artery. Aortic aneurysm treatment most commonly occurs in the abdominal aorta.

2. Thoracic aortic aneurysm: A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs when there is an aneurysm in the thoracic part of the aortic artery.

3. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm: It is called a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm when an aneurysm occurs in both the thoracic and abdominal portions of the aortic artery.

4. Dissecting aortic aneurysms: The aortic artery is like a three-layer sandwich. There is a layer known as the intimal layer within the media, which is located within the adventitia layer.

What are risks associated with aortic artery aneurysms?

Aortic aneurysms can grow larger over time and can begin to cause symptoms as soon as they begin to increase in size.

It is noteworthy that when an aortic aneurysm becomes very large, it can cause serious bleeding that leads to immediate death without warning.

Blood clots are another risk if a person has an aortic aneurysm, as a blood clot can form inside the aneurysm, and small pieces of blood can break off from it and move through the body.

It is noteworthy that if part of the blood clot gets stuck in the brain or blood vessels in the heart, it may cause a stroke or heart attack.

It is added that blood clots can also obstruct blood flow to organs such as the kidneys and liver, preventing them from working and performing their function properly.

In addition, if part of the clot blocks blood flow in the legs, feet, and arms, blood clots can cause numbness, weakness, tingling, coldness, dizziness, or pain this is why its important to learn how dangerous is a 4 cm aortic aneurysm

What are causes and risk factors of aortic artery aneurysms?

 1. Causes of abdominal aortic aneurysms:

In the past, it was believed that atherosclerosis was the main cause of this disease, but today it is believed that many causes lead to weaknesses in the walls of blood vessels, including:

1. Infections.

2. Genetic factors.

3. High blood pressure.

4. Disease in the arterial wall.

As for the weakness and degeneration of the wall, they result from a decrease in the amount of elastin and collagen in the wall due to enzymatic activity that leads to the disintegration of these proteins.

Also Read: Hematoma vs Blood Clot

 2. Risk factors:

The most prominent risk factors that increase the chances of contracting the disease are:

1. Age: About 5% of people ages 50 and older develop aortic aneurysm.

2. Gender: The disease is more common among men than women, and the infection rate among men versus women is 1:9.

3. Smoking: Smoke increases the chances of contracting the disease as leg aneurysm symptoms.

4. Family history: The presence of the disease in a family member increases the chance of contracting it.

How to diagnose aortic aneurysm?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is often discovered on a physical examination or imaging examination for any other reason.

To diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, your doctor will examine you and review your and your family’s medical history.

Tests to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

1. Abdominal ultrasound examination.  This test is most commonly used to diagnose aortic aneurysm.  Sound waves are also used to show how blood flows through organs in the abdominal area, including the aortic artery.

2. Abdominal CT scan.

This scan uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the organ within the abdominal area.

It can create clear images of the aortic artery.

This test can also be used to detect the size and shape of the aneurysm.

3. Abdominal MRI.

This imaging test uses a magnetic field and computerized radio waves to create detailed images of the organ inside the abdominal area.

During some CT and MRI scans, a liquid called contrast material may be injected into a vein so that the blood vessels appear more clearly in the images.

Also Read: which is worse ascending or descending aortic aneurysm

Screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm:

The risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm is significantly increased among male smokers and overall any blood vessel disease.

Screening has different recommendations, but in general, they are:

1. Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have smoked cigarettes at any time in their lives should undergo an abdominal ultrasound to research for blood vessel disease.

For men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have never smoked, whether they need an abdominal ultrasound depends on other risk factors, such as a family history of aneurysms.

2. Women who have never smoked generally do not need a screen to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  There is not enough evidence whether women ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked or have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm may benefit from screening.

You should consult your doctor about whether the test is appropriate.

What are treatment options of aortic aneurysm?

The decision of whether and when to correct an asymptomatic aneurysm depends on the risk associated with the aneurysm itself and the risk associated with the correction.

A. Small abdominal aneurysms that are discovered randomly and are asymptomatic, and the recommendation is usually to adhere to regular follow-up with ultrasound every 6 months.

It is also recommended at this stage to treat risk factors such as high blood pressure and quit smoke.

B. If during the follow-up period, the aneurysm increases by 0.5 cm in half a year or its diameter is greater than 5.5 cm, the recommendation is to perform a correction operation.

Aneurysm correction is the main treatment for symptomatic aneurysms or a high risk of rupture.

It will be implemented in one of two ways, each with its pros and cons.

The treating physician will provide you with the best treatment according to your medical condition:

1. Open surgeries: which is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia, and the duration of the operation is about 2-4 hours.

The vascular surgeon makes a longitudinal incision in the abdominal wall, replacing the affected portion of the artery with an artificial implant (implant over a stent).

After a surgical operation, you must stay in the hospital for about 5 days and the recovery process takes about a month.

2. Minimally invasive catheterization – performed in a catheterization room by an interventional radiologist but can also be performed in an operating room.

Depending on the doctor’s decision, it can be performed under local anesthesia, minimal sedation, or alternatively under general anesthesia.

With this method, it is not necessary to open the abdomen.

The procedure is performed through a small incision in the skin smaller than 1 cm in the groin area.

Through this route, metal leads are inserted into the groin arteries with catheters on them.

After evaluating the aneurysm, a stent (artificial stent over an implant) is inserted according to its dimensions and covers the diseased area, thus preventing further aneurysm.

At the end of the procedure, the opening in the artery is closed using state-of-the-art equipment designed to close the opening without surgery.

The hospital stay is 1-2 days shorter and the recovery process is short.

Nowadays most aneurysms are treated this way.

Aortic Aneurysm Treatment at Frontier Medical Care

An aortic aneurysm is a serious condition that demands expert attention. At our clinic, Dr. Farouk Marzouk provides specialized care for the diagnosis and management of aortic aneurysms, utilizing advanced techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes. With a focus on patient safety and individualized care, Dr. Farouk Marzouk leads a team dedicated to addressing your concerns with precision and compassion. Don’t delay in seeking care schedule an appointment today to discuss your treatment options with an experienced vascular surgeon.

Conclusion

An aortic aneurysm may begin quietly, but its consequences can be catastrophic if ignored. Understanding the early aortic aneurysm symptoms and knowing when to seek medical advice could make all the difference.

Modern imaging techniques now allow accurate diagnosis of aneurysm, giving patients the chance to receive timely, effective treatment. If you or someone you love experiences any sign of aortic aneurysm from unexplained chest pain to pulsating sensations don’t wait. Consult a vascular specialist immediately to protect your heart and life. Awareness, diagnosis, and expert care remain your strongest defenses against the silent danger of an aortic aneurysm.