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What are Common Abdominal Aneurysm Symptoms?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

Abdominal aneurysm symptoms depend on many factors, primarily the size of the aneurysm and whether or not it has ruptured. Small non-ruptured aneurysms usually cause no symptoms and are commonly found during examinations for other conditions or symptoms. Very large varieties may cause abdominal pain and bloating, although sometimes these go unnoticed or are mistaken for gastrointestinal upset. Ruptured aneurysms may cause severe pain, and are often fatal.

Small abdominal aneurysm symptoms are often nonexistent. Patients who have them oftentimes do not realize it until they are detected during an exam for an unrelated medical condition. Treatment may be minimal, although the patient will need to go for regular exams to ensure that the aneurysm is not growing or prone to rupture. If the person has a particularly high risk of rupture, due to poor health, an unhealthy diet, or drinking habits, the aneurysm may be removed even if no symptoms are present.

Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may include a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may include a sudden drop in blood pressure.

The most common abdominal aneurysm symptoms are a bloated feeling in the abdomen and pain. Patients may also feel pain in the back or an unusual pulsing sensation. The severity of these symptoms will mostly depend on the exact size and location of the growth. These types are normally surgically removed, typically by cutting off blood flow in the area. This causes the aneurysm to shrivel up and eventually disappear.

Surgery may be required to treat an abdominal aneurysm.
Surgery may be required to treat an abdominal aneurysm.

If an aneurysm grows suddenly, symptoms may become severe very quickly as the mass begins pressing against nerves in the abdomen and back. Pain is often felt in the center of the abdominal cavity, although this will vary based on the exact location of the aneurysm. Rapidly growing aneurysms are at a particularly high risk for rupturing if growth isn’t halted.

Abdominal aneurysms are sometimes mistaken for gastrointestinal pain.
Abdominal aneurysms are sometimes mistaken for gastrointestinal pain.

Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may come on suddenly and may include severe pain in the abdomen and back and sometimes a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure. These aneurysms are often fatal, and sometimes the first and only symptom is death, primarily in cases of a small aneurysm rupture since these are most often missed. Patients may survive if symptoms are noticed and medical attention is received immediately. Ruptured abdominal aneurysms are survivable more frequently than their cerebral counterparts, but swift medical care is needed.

Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may come on suddenly, and may include severe pain in the abdomen and back.
Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may come on suddenly, and may include severe pain in the abdomen and back.

Anyone who experiences severe abdominal pain accompanied by dizziness, bloating, or any other painful symptoms should seek medical attention. In most cases, these symptoms will be the signs of a non-serious condition like irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes, however, a more severe medical condition may be to blame.

Discussion Comments

anon1003285

In February of this year (just prior to the virus) I found I couldn't breathe. Went to

hospital and they told me it was bronchitis. When they took chest xrays they found an aneurysm. I stayed in the hospital for six days with the bronchitis. I told my doctor I would follow-up for treatment of the aneurysm. I was only home from the first hospital stay for two days before I developed severe pain in my stomach. Went back to hospital and they transported me to another hospital for treatment. I was operated on three days later when it ruptured.

If I hadn't developed the bronchitis I never would have known.

julies

The main abdominal aortic aneurysm symptom I had was pain and bloating in my stomach area. The aneurysm was large enough that it was causing these symptoms and I ended up having surgery.

I know that some people aren't so fortunate and I feel like I was very lucky. It also makes me somewhat nervous now, because any time I get any kind of abdominal pain, I think I have developed another aneurysm.

John57

When I hear of someone passing away unexpectedly I usually think it is either a heart attack or some kind of aneurysm. I have lost family members to both of these, so am interested in knowing what I can do to possibly prevent something like this from happening to me.

When they discovered an abdominal aortic aneurysm in my grandpa, he was having some disturbing symptoms, and the aneurysm had ruptured. Even though he received medical treatment very quickly, it was not soon enough.

He was up in years and I wonder even if he had made it what his quality of life would have been like after he recovered. One thing I am thankful for is that he did not suffer long and had been in good health up to that point. It was just hard for everybody because we lost him so suddenly.

andee

When my dad went in for an annual physical they discovered he had an aneurysm. Up to this point he hadn't had any abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms. The aneurysm was small and wasn't posing any potential health problems so they are just watching it. I still makes me really nervous knowing he has this and they aren't doing anything about it except for watching it.

myharley

It seems like the times I hear about something like this, someone has had an aortic aneurysm rupture and never made it. Usually they had no symptoms before this happened. It came on very suddenly and they never had a chance.

My son has a classmate who lost their mother from an aneurysm. They found her passed out in the bathroom and she was already gone. It was so sad because she left four small children at home and had no warning whatsoever.

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    • Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may include a sudden drop in blood pressure.
      By: Alx
      Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may include a sudden drop in blood pressure.
    • Surgery may be required to treat an abdominal aneurysm.
      By: llhedgehogll
      Surgery may be required to treat an abdominal aneurysm.
    • Abdominal aneurysms are sometimes mistaken for gastrointestinal pain.
      By: ag visuell
      Abdominal aneurysms are sometimes mistaken for gastrointestinal pain.
    • Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may come on suddenly, and may include severe pain in the abdomen and back.
      By: joshya
      Ruptured abdominal aneurysm symptoms may come on suddenly, and may include severe pain in the abdomen and back.
    • The most common abdominal aneurysm symptoms are a bloated feeling in the abdomen and pain.
      By: michaeljung
      The most common abdominal aneurysm symptoms are a bloated feeling in the abdomen and pain.