The largest artery in the body, the aorta, extends from the heart to the lower abdomen where it divides into a branch for each leg. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons state that an aneurysm is a weak section in the wall of the aorta that causes the artery to bulge, placing the aorta at risk for rupture and threatening the life of the patient. Symptoms depend on the size and location of the aneurysm.
No Symptoms
Depending on the size of the aneurysm, no symptoms may be present. Marian Soat, MSN, critical care nursing specialist and author of "Aortic Aneurysm: Causes, Clues, and Treatment Options" published in the July/August 2009 "American Nurse Today" reports that small aneurysms, particularly those in the abdominal aorta, do not cause symptoms.
Pain
As an aortic aneurysm grows, it puts pressure on surrounding organs and tissue. Pain, often the first symptom, in the area of the chest, abdomen or back begins as a vague pressure or ache. Patients typically ignore initial pain symptoms, which prolongs diagnosis and appropriate medical intervention. The pain will change as the aneurysm enlarges. Patients experience throbbing, aching and gnawing pain in the abdomen and back.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports pain symptoms may only occur when the aneurysm ruptures. A ruptured aneurysm causes sudden, severe sharp pain in the chest, back or abdomen depending on its location. Nausea, low blood pressure, sweating, a sense of doom and a rapid heart rate accompany the pain. A rupturing aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.
Indigestion
Abdominal aortic aneurysms create symptoms of indigestion because pressure from the aneurysm causes reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Symptoms of indigestion include burning in the esophagus, pain or pressure in the chest from esophageal irritation and nausea result. Unless a thorough exam reveals the aneurysm, patients and health care providers treat the indigestion symptoms but not the cause.
Murmur
Thoracic aortic aneurysms produce an aortic valve murmur. Pressure changes in the aorta due to the aneurysm impair aortic valve function. The aortic valve opens and closes as the heart beats. An improperly functioning valve allows blood to leak back into the left heart chamber when the heart pumps, producing an abnormal heart sound audible with a stethoscope. Abdominal aortic aneurysms also produce a murmur and a physician may note the murmur during an exam.
Cough
A person with a thoracic aortic aneurysm has unexplained coughing and wheezing. Respiratory symptoms increase as the size of the aneurysm increases. An untreated thoracic aneurysm with aortic valve damage leads to heart failure, which creates shortness of breath and severe cough productive of frothy sputum.
Paresthesia
Numbness and tingling in the extremities, called paresthesia, occurs when a thoracic aortic aneurysm causes decreased circulation to the spinal cord. This medical emergency requires immediate intervention to prevent long term neurovascular damage.
References
- The Society of Thoracic Surgeons: "Aortic Aneurysm"
- "American Nurse Today"; Aortic Aneurysm: Causes, Clues, and Treatment Options; Marian Soat, MSN, CCRN; July/August 2009
- National Heat Lung and Blood Disorders: "Aneurysms: Signs and Symptoms"
