Aorta Aneurysm Symptoms
The aorta is the blood vessel that runs from the heart to the abdomen. It's the major source of blood to your body, so if it ruptures, the result is potentially fatal bleeding. Because of this--and because emergency surgery for a ruptured aortic aneurysm carries a 50 percent risk of death--it's important to be alert to signs of an aortic aneurysm sooner rather than later.
No Symptoms
It's possible to have an aortic aneurysm and not have symptoms. However, particularly if you have some or all of factors that put you at increased risk (see Risk Factors), you should be aware that an absence of symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you're in the clear. People younger than 50 are more likely to have symptoms of aortic aneurysms than are older people, according to Health.com.
General Pain or Pulsing
Symptoms of an aortic aneurysm that may be growing and at risk of rupturing include pain or tenderness in the chest or abdomen; a pulsing sensation in the abdominal area; and back pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. This pain probably won't be affected by movement and may last for hours or days.
Cold Feet
Cold feet or black or blue toes are also possible symptoms of an aortic aneurysm. These can occur if the aneurysm causes a blood clot that prevents blood from reaching the legs or feet, according to Health.com.
Fever
Only a small number of aortic aneurysms, called inflammatory aortic aneurysms, are caused by inflammation or infection. If you have this kind of aneurysm, symptoms might include fever and weight loss, according to Health.com.
Severe Pain
The pain may be "severe and unrelenting" if the aneurysm is leaking, according to the Merck Manual Home Edition. After an aneurysm ruptures, the pain is likely to be excruciating. If you experience this, you should seek medical attention immediately. Left untreated, ruptured aneurysms are always fatal.
Risk Factors
One of the most significant risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm is a family history of them. If you do have a family history of aortic aneurysms, you should consider being screened for the condition. When there is a family history of aortic aneurysms, they are likely to show up when you're younger and they are more likely to rupture.
Any history of tobacco use puts you at increased risk of having an aortic aneurysm. In particular, the Mayo Clinic recommends that men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have smoked or chewed tobacco be screened for an aortic aneurysm via ultrasound.
Being male is a risk factor for aortic aneurysms, as men have them five to 10 times more often as women do--although the risk of rupture is greater in women. A condition called atherosclerosis--the buildup of fat in the lining of a blood vessel--also puts you at higher risk of an aortic aneurysm.
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