These symptoms can also result from many other eye, neurological, or vascular conditions. Sudden vision loss, especially when accompanied by weakness, speech difficulty, or a severe headache, should be treated as an emergency.
3. Facial numbness or weakness
An aneurysm that presses on nearby nerves may occasionally cause numbness or weakness in part of the face.
However, sudden facial drooping or weakness on one side of the body may also indicate a stroke or another serious neurological emergency.
Do not wait to see whether these symptoms disappear.
4. Difficulty speaking or sudden confusion
Problems finding words, slurred speech, difficulty understanding others, or sudden confusion can indicate a serious problem affecting the brain.
These symptoms are not specific to aneurysms, but they warrant urgent assessment because they may signal a stroke or bleeding in the brain.
5. Neck pain or stiffness
Neck stiffness can occur when bleeding from a ruptured brain aneurysm irritates the tissues surrounding the brain.
It may occur alongside a sudden severe headache, vomiting, or sensitivity to light.
Neck stiffness alone is common in less serious conditions, but sudden stiffness combined with an unusually severe headache should never be ignored.
6. Nausea, vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness
A ruptured brain aneurysm can cause a rapid increase in pressure inside the skull and interfere with normal brain function.
Symptoms may include vomiting, seizures, extreme drowsiness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
These are emergency warning signs. Call emergency services immediately rather than trying to transport an unconscious or severely unwell person without professional guidance.
Warning Signs of an Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic aneurysms often develop without noticeable symptoms. When they do produce symptoms, the warning signs may differ depending on whether the aneurysm is in the chest or abdomen.
1. Sudden, severe chest or upper-back pain
Aortic rupture or dissection can cause abrupt, intense pain in the chest or upper back.
Some people describe the pain as tearing or ripping. It may spread to the neck, jaw, arms, or back.
Other possible symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, fainting, or a sudden feeling of extreme weakness.
Although chest and back pain have many causes, sudden severe pain of this kind requires immediate emergency evaluation.
2. Persistent abdominal or back pain
An abdominal aortic aneurysm may cause deep, persistent pain in the abdomen, side, or lower back.
Some people describe a throbbing sensation in the abdomen. A pulsating abdominal mass may occasionally be detected by a clinician, but people should not repeatedly press on their abdomen to look for one.
Abdominal pain is far more commonly caused by other conditions, so it should not automatically be attributed to an aneurysm. However, sudden severe abdominal or back pain—particularly with fainting, pallor, or weakness—may indicate a life-threatening vascular emergency.
3. Pain spreading toward the groin or legs
Some abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause discomfort in the lower back, groin, buttocks, or legs.
In certain cases, blood clots associated with an aneurysm can interfere with circulation. Sudden pain, coldness, numbness, or discoloration in a leg or foot requires urgent medical attention.
4. Shortness of breath, coughing, or hoarseness
A thoracic aortic aneurysm may press on structures in the chest as it enlarges.
Depending on its location, it may cause breathlessness, persistent coughing, difficulty swallowing, or a hoarse voice.
These symptoms are not specific to an aneurysm, but persistent or unexplained symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Signs of a Ruptured Aneurysm: When Every Minute Matters
A ruptured aneurysm can cause severe internal bleeding or bleeding around the brain. The symptoms depend on where the rupture occurs, but they may develop suddenly and worsen quickly.
Emergency warning signs include:
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A sudden, severe headache unlike any previous headache.
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Sudden, severe chest, abdominal, or back pain.
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Fainting or loss of consciousness.
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Seizures.
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New weakness, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking.
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Sudden vision loss.
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Severe breathlessness, pale or clammy skin, or signs of circulatory collapse.
What should you do?
If you or someone nearby develops these symptoms:
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Call your local emergency number immediately. In Vietnam, call 115 for emergency medical assistance.
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Do not drive yourself or ask the affected person to drive.
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Help the person remain still and safe while waiting for emergency responders.
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If the person becomes unconscious, check whether they are breathing normally and follow the emergency dispatcher's instructions. If they are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you can do so safely and follow the dispatcher's guidance.
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Do not give food, drink, or medication to someone who is unconscious or has difficulty swallowing.
Do not wait for symptoms to become more severe. Do not assume that temporary improvement means the danger has passed.