Aortic Aneurysm - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

If you do have signs and symptoms of an aortic aneurysm, they may include:

• Difficult or painful swallowing if the aneurysm is pushing on your esophagus
• Difficulty breathing if it is pushing on your trachea, or windpipe
• Feeling full after not eating very much
• Hoarseness
• Pain in the neck, jaw, back, chest, abdomen or shoulder, depending on where the aneurysm is located
• Pulsating or throbbing feeling in your abdomen
• Shortness of breath if the aneurysm is pressing on your lung
• Swelling of the face, neck, or arms if the aneurysm is pushing on the superior vena cava. The superior vena cava is the main vein that returns blood from your upper body to your heart.

If you know you have an aortic aneurysm, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of a rupture, since quick treatment may be life-saving. Signs and symptoms of a rupture may include:

• Light-headedness
• Rapid heart rate
• Sudden, severe pain in your abdomen, chest, or back

Complications from aortic aneurysms may be life-threatening and may include:

• Aortic dissection, which is a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall. It causes blood to collect between the inner and middle layers of the aortic wall. This may lead to rupture of the aorta or not enough blood flow to your organs.
• Aortic insufficiency and aortic regurgitation, both of which occur when the aortic valve does not close properly because a nearby section of the aorta is enlarged. This allows some backward flow of blood back into the heart. As a result, your heart must work harder, which may lead to heart failure.
• Aortic rupture, which causes dangerous bleeding inside the body and can lead to shock
• cardiac tamponade
• Kidney failure from lack of blood flow to the kidneys
• Lack of blood flow to the bowels, which causes inflammation and injury in the large intestine

• Diagnosis will discuss tests and procedures used to detect aortic aneurysms and help rule out other conditions that may mimic aortic aneurysm.
• Treatment will discuss treatments and their complications or side effects.