There are usually no telltale signs to warn you that something is wrong. It begins at the “top” of the heart so that when the heart ejects blood from the left ventricle and across the aortic valve into the aorta, the blood is flowing upward, toward the head. Chest pain and back pain are the two most common symptoms of large aneurysms. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are usually caused by high blood pressure or sudden injury. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an abnormal and persistent dilation of the aortic blood vessel. Thoracic aortic aneurysm. The symptoms of an aortic aneurysm can sometimes include chest or back pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and difficulty swallowing. If your aneurysm becomes a major problem or grows rapidly in size, you might need surgery. Signs and symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm can include the following: Sharp, sudden pain in the chest or upper back Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, and clinical electrophysiology. It’s a condition that can affect any person and produce serious consequences. These people should be screened right away. Back pain 3. Aortic Aneurysm - What is an Aortic Aneurysm? A blood clot in the aorta can embolize (break off) and travel to almost any organ in the body, often producing serious damage. Older adults are more at risk of suffering this pathology because their arterial walls are more lax and elastic. Read our, Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD, Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI, Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD, Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD, Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD, Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD, Verywell Health uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Signs of shock. What are the Symptoms of an Aortic Emergency? In some cases, a blood clot can form within the dilated portion of the aorta, where normal blood flow may be disrupted and areas of relative stagnation can develop. Symptoms of rupture usually begin with sudden severe pain in the chest or back, followed rapidly by palpitations, severe weakness, and lightheadedness, shock, and loss of consciousness.. Such aneurysms rarely produce any symptoms. What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm? When symptoms do occur, it usually indicates that the aneurysm is large and/or is growing rapidly. Small clots can form in the area of the aneurysm, break off, and flow to the legs, kidneys, or other organs. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm The abdominal section of the aorta is the most common region of an aortic aneurysm, and this type of an aneurysm is often referred to as AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm). Ascending aortic aneurysms do not always cause symptoms, especially in … Hoarseness 4. Thoracic aortic aneurysm. Diagnosing an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm . Your heart is the most important muscle in your body. Compression of nerve roots may cause leg pain or numbness. If an aortic aneurysm is to be successfully repaired, this surgery almost always must be done electively before rupture occurs. During your lifetime it will pump enough blood to fill about three supertankers. A major reason for most of the above symptoms is loss of blood from the leaking aneurysm. An ascending aortic aneurysm is often found during a routine checkup or an examination ordered for another condition. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Risk Factors. Thoracic aortic aneurysms may cause issues such as shortness of breath, back pain, and chest pain. If an aneurysm is about to rupture, it can cause a throbbing pain in the abdomen or in the back. Some aneurysms will never rupture. Once they rupture, they often cause fainting and severe side or back pain. Severe dilation of the aorta in this location can distort the aortic valve enough to cause the valve to malfunction.