How to Recognize Symptoms of Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic aneurysms are known as the "silent killer," since it is very difficult to recognize the oncoming symptoms. An aneurysm is a ballooning of an artery. If allowed to balloon too much, the stress of the blood-filled balloon bursts the artery wall, which causes massive internal bleeding. Here are a few signs that will help you recognize an aortic aneurysm before it strikes a deadly blow.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. There are not many symptoms to look for, unfortunately. Since the symptoms do not show themselves easily--or if they do, they are minimal--you should be checked by a physician yearly once you hit about 60 years of age.
2. Since the symptoms rarely show themselves, you should protect yourself against a ruptured aortic aneurysm by getting checked once a year if you are a smoker, overweight, diabetic, male and over 60 years of age. One of the symptoms that may be present is gastric outlet obstruction. Gastric outlet obstruction prevents output from the stomach to the small intestine. Since this symptom also presents in edema from peptic ulcers, aging, neoplasms and foreign bodies, it may be difficult to diagnose for an aneurysm if you have no other symptoms.
3. Shock is another symptom. Shock is your body's physical and mental reaction to reduced circulation. You may go in and out of consciousness during shock. You could go into shock for any number of reasons, not just an aneurysm.
4. If you are found to have an aneurysm, you may not need an operation, but you should get checked every 4 to 6 months. Your aneurysm may grow very slowly and have very little chance of rupturing. If it grows quickly, it may rupture, and because of the location of the aneurysm--the aorta--there is a lot of blood, and you could easily bleed out.
5. Aneurysms are measured in centimeters. You should have surgery as early as possible in order to prevent a rupture. Some medical professionals will allow you to wait until the aneurysm reaches 4.5 to 5 cm before performing surgery, but will take an ultrasound or a CT scan every 4 to 6 months to monitor the growth.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any abdominal pain, get to your doctor or an emergency room as soon as possible.
• If you go into shock, get to your doctor or an emergency room as soon as possible.
• If you have problems with blockage, get to your doctor as soon as possible.
• If you are over 60, overweight, smoke or diabetic, get checked every year for an aneurysm, particularly if you are male.
• Do not drive yourself to the emergency room if you have severe abdominal pain or go into shock.