If you ever experience unusual chest pain or discomfort, seek immediate medical attention.
If you observe a strong pulsation or a bulging sensation in your abdomen, consult your healthcare provider without delay.
If you encounter new, severe, or alarming chest pain that feels like tearing or ripping, do not hesitate. Go directly to a hospital's emergency department for potentially life-saving treatment, not only for aneurysms or dissections but also for other conditions causing chest pain.
If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it results in internal bleeding, constituting a medical emergency as a person could bleed to death within minutes.
Severe back, flank, or abdominal pain may be the sole symptom of an enlarging aorta. While various conditions can lead to these symptoms, an aortic aneurysm is the most severe.
Do not attempt self-treatment or delay seeking immediate, expert medical attention if you experience severe chest, abdominal, or back pain, especially if you suspect internal bleeding. Swift diagnosis is crucial.
In approximately 20% of cases, the initial sign or symptom of an undiagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysm is a rupture leading to sudden death due to massive blood loss.
No medication can prevent an aortic aneurysm, but you can take steps to maintain healthy and strong blood vessels:
If you are diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm smaller than 5 cm, your primary care provider will closely monitor it. Regular ultrasound exams will detect any growth or changes in the aneurysm.
Some experts recommend screening for all individuals over 55 years: