What are the main symptoms or signs of Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge?

Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.

When should you see a doctor for Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge?

See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.

Conditions

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge

Usually painless until the day it is not

Dr. Camille Roux

Internal medicine physician

7 min read

Medical illustration of Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge

In simple terms

Who should be screened, why size decides treatment, and what repair involves.

What it is, in plain words

The aorta is the main artery leaving the heart. When its wall weakens, a segment stretches like a worn tyre and forms an aneurysm. Below the kidneys is the commonest site. The danger is rupture: the larger the diameter, the higher the yearly risk, which is why size drives every decision.

Signs to look out for

Usually none at all, found by chance on a scan
A pulsating feeling in the abdomen
Deep, constant abdominal or lower back pain when it expands quickly
Sudden tearing abdominal or back pain with faintness if it ruptures
Cold, painful foot if a fragment of clot breaks off

Why it happens

Smoking is by far the strongest risk factor, followed by male sex, age over 65, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and a family history of aneurysm. Certain connective tissue diseases cause aneurysms in younger people.

How doctors confirm it

An abdominal ultrasound is quick, painless and accurate, and is the tool used for one-off screening in men over 65 who have ever smoked. CT angiography gives the precise anatomy when repair is being planned.

Treatments and solutions

Stopping smoking, which slows growth more than any drug
Blood pressure control and a statin to reduce cardiovascular risk overall
Surveillance ultrasound at intervals set by size, from yearly for small aneurysms to every few months for larger ones
Endovascular repair with a stent graft placed through the groin arteries, with shorter recovery
Open surgical repair for anatomies unsuitable for a stent, with more durable long-term results

Living with it day to day

Between scans, keep blood pressure at target, walk regularly, avoid heavy straining if your surgeon advises it, and make sure first-degree relatives are offered screening.

When to seek medical help

Call emergency services for sudden severe abdominal or back pain with sweating, faintness or collapse.

This article explains general health information in simple language. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.

The words explained

Medical terms used above, in everyday language.

Risk factor: Something that makes an illness more likely, such as smoking or family history.
Blood pressure: The force of blood pushing against your artery walls. Too high, over years, damages the heart and vessels.
Cardiovascular: Related to the heart and blood vessels.
Screening: A check-up done before you feel ill, to catch a problem early.

When should you see a doctor?

Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
You already take medication and want to change anything about it.

This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge?: Who should be screened, why size decides treatment, and what repair involves.
What are the main symptoms or signs of Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge?: Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
When should you see a doctor for Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the silent bulge?: See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.

#aorta #aneurysm #screening