If facial weakness appears suddenly, seek emergency care.
8. Chest Pain or Shortness of Breath
A thoracic aortic aneurysm may cause chest discomfort or breathing difficulties when it becomes large enough to affect nearby structures.
Some people experience:
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Persistent chest discomfort.
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Pain between the shoulder blades.
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Shortness of breath.
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Coughing.
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Hoarseness.
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Difficulty swallowing.
These symptoms can occur because the enlarged aorta may compress nearby organs or tissues.
However, sudden severe chest pain or breathlessness can also indicate an aortic dissection, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or another life-threatening condition.
An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aortic wall, allowing blood to enter and separate the layers of the vessel wall.
It is a medical emergency.
Sudden severe chest or back pain, especially when accompanied by fainting, weakness, or difficulty breathing, requires immediate emergency attention.
9. Sudden, Severe Abdominal Pain
An abdominal aortic aneurysm may cause abdominal discomfort when it enlarges or places pressure on surrounding tissues.
Some people describe a persistent deep ache in the abdomen.
If the aneurysm ruptures, the pain may become sudden and extremely severe.
It may spread toward the back, groin, or pelvis.
Other possible symptoms include:
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Dizziness.
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Cold or clammy skin.
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Rapid heartbeat.
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Weakness.
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Fainting.
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Signs of shock.
A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause massive internal bleeding.
This condition requires immediate emergency treatment.
Severe abdominal pain should never automatically be attributed to indigestion, constipation, or food-related problems.
10. Rapid Heartbeat or Palpitations
A rapid heartbeat may occur when the body responds to severe bleeding or circulatory instability.
If an aneurysm ruptures, blood loss can cause blood pressure to fall. The heart may respond by beating faster in an attempt to maintain blood circulation.
A person may experience:
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Racing heartbeat.
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Palpitations.
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Weakness.
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Dizziness.
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Sweating.
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Faintness.
However, an increased heart rate is not a reliable early warning sign of an unruptured aneurysm.
It can also occur with dehydration, fever, anxiety, anemia, heart rhythm disorders, and many other conditions.
A rapid heartbeat accompanied by sudden severe abdominal or chest pain, fainting, or signs of shock requires emergency care.
11. Persistent or Severe Back Pain
An abdominal aortic aneurysm can sometimes cause deep pain in the lower back.
This may happen when the enlarged vessel places pressure on surrounding tissues.
Pain associated with a rupturing aneurysm may be sudden, severe, and different from ordinary muscular back pain.
However, back pain is extremely common and is usually related to muscles, joints, spinal discs, or nerve irritation.
A person should be particularly concerned when new, severe back pain occurs together with abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, or a known history of an aortic aneurysm.
Such symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
12. Lightheadedness, Fainting, or Loss of Consciousness
A ruptured aneurysm can cause substantial internal bleeding.
As blood volume decreases, blood pressure may fall and the brain may receive insufficient oxygen.
This can lead to:
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Lightheadedness.
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Severe weakness.
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Cold sweating.
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Confusion.
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Fainting.
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Loss of consciousness.
Fainting is not a specific sign of an aneurysm. It can also result from heart rhythm abnormalities, dehydration, medication effects, and other conditions.
Nevertheless, fainting accompanied by sudden severe abdominal, chest, back, or head pain is a major emergency warning sign.
Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital if you suspect a ruptured aneurysm.
Call emergency services immediately.
4. Why Aneurysms Can Develop Without Warning
One of the most dangerous features of aneurysms is their ability to remain silent.
A small aneurysm may not affect nearby nerves or organs. Blood can continue flowing through the vessel without producing noticeable symptoms.
As a result, a person may feel completely healthy while an aneurysm is gradually developing.
This explains why some aneurysms are discovered during medical imaging performed for unrelated reasons.
For example, a person undergoing a CT scan for abdominal pain may unexpectedly learn that they have an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Similarly, a brain aneurysm may be discovered during an MRI or CT scan performed to investigate another neurological concern.
The absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean that an aneurysm is absent.
For people with significant risk factors, appropriate screening and medical assessment can be more useful than waiting for warning signs.
5. What Causes an Aneurysm?
There is no single cause of all aneurysms.
Instead, several factors can contribute to weakening the walls of blood vessels.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure places additional force on artery walls.
Over many years, uncontrolled hypertension can contribute to damage within blood vessels and increase the risk of certain aneurysms.
Blood pressure management is therefore an important part of cardiovascular health.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Chemicals in tobacco smoke damage blood vessel walls and contribute to inflammation and structural changes.
Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
People who smoke should consider seeking professional support to quit.
Stopping smoking can improve cardiovascular health and reduce several long-term health risks.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits, cholesterol, inflammatory cells, and other substances accumulate within artery walls.
This process can affect the structure and function of blood vessels.
It is associated with several cardiovascular conditions and may contribute to aneurysm development, particularly in the abdominal aorta.
Aging
Blood vessels change as people grow older.
The structure of arterial walls may become less flexible, and accumulated exposure to high blood pressure, smoking, and other risk factors can contribute to weakening.
This helps explain why some aneurysms are more common in older adults.
Genetic Factors
Some people inherit conditions that affect connective tissue, which helps provide strength and structure to blood vessels.
Examples include:
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Marfan syndrome.
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Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
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Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
These conditions can increase the risk of aneurysms and other serious abnormalities involving the aorta and arteries.
People with a family history of these conditions may benefit from genetic counseling and specialist evaluation.
Family History
Aneurysms can occur more frequently in certain families.
Having a close relative with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or certain brain aneurysms may increase an individual's risk.
The degree of risk depends on the type of aneurysm and the family history.
People with affected first-degree relatives should discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare professionals.
Infections and Inflammation
In rare cases, infections can weaken blood vessel walls and contribute to aneurysm formation.
Inflammatory diseases affecting blood vessels may also play a role in certain types of aneurysms.
These conditions require specialized diagnosis and treatment.