12/07/2019
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (or AAA) originates anywhere along the aorta, the major artery that runs from the left ventricle (in the heart) all the through to the abdomen.
The actual AAA develops into a blood-filled bulge that weakens the walls of the aorta as blood flows with normal pressure.
Due to the cramped space and increased pressure, the aorta will eventually rupture, causing severe pain and massive internal bleeding.
Seeking the opinion of an experienced vascular surgeon is an important step to monitor and treat the AAA if appropriate.
Most people with abdominal aortic aneurysms don't have symptoms. But symptoms may occur if the aneurysm gets bigger and puts pressure on surrounding organs.
The most common symptom is general belly pain or discomfort, which may come and go or be constant.
Other symptoms may include:
Pain in the chest, belly (abdomen), lower back, or flank (over the kidneys). It may spread to the groin, buttocks, or legs. The pain may be deep, aching, gnawing, or throbbing, and it may last for hours or days. It is generally not affected by movement. But certain positions may be more comfortable than others.
A pulsating feeling in the belly.
A "cold foot" or a black or blue painful toe. This can happen if an aneurysm produces a blood clot that breaks off and blocks blood flow to the legs or feet.
Fever or weight loss, if the aneurysm was caused by infection or inflammation
(inflammatory aortic aneurysm).
The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other problems that cause chest or belly pain. These problems include coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcer disease.
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm
If an aortic aneurysm bursts, or ruptures, it causes:
Sudden, severe pain.
An extreme drop in blood pressure.
Signs of shock.
Without immediate treatment, it can quickly lead to death.
