Are There Warning Signs of Aneurysms?

You may have heard the word “aneurysm” before, whether on TV, concerning an infirm family member, or in passing, but it’s important to know what aneurysms are, how they can affect you, and what to look for in order to be prepared in the event of an aneurysm in yourself or someone you love. 

An aneurysm is when the wall of an artery weakens, allowing it to start widening out and creating a bulge in the wall. 

Many of us have heard stories about how an aneurysm went undetected, expanding or rupturing suddenly, resulting in catastrophic consequences, and start to believe that there’s no warning signs, but that’s not the case. 

There are several different types of aneurysms. Let’s take a look at the symptoms and warning signs of aneurysms and what you can do to catch them ahead of time:

Symptoms of an Aneurysm

For the most part, with abdominal aortic aneurysms, symptoms aren’t going to start manifesting until the aneurysm becomes enlarged. Luckily, an enlarged aneurysm isn’t as severe as a ruptured aneurysm, and recognizing the symptoms can make a big difference in treatment. 

Here are the signs of an enlarged aortic aneurysm.

• General severe belly pain and discomfort
• Pain in the chest, belly, lower back, or over the kidneys that may eventually spread to the groin, buttocks, or legs. This pain is generally not affected by movement and is described as deep, aching, gnawing, or throbbing
• A pulsating feeling in the belly
• A “cold foot,” loss of sensation in foot
• Black or blue, painful toe, will occur if aneurysm causes a blood clot
• Fever or weight loss, occurs when the aneurysm causes an infection or inflammation

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek out medical help immediately! Treating an aneurysm before it ruptures can make all the difference in successful removal and treatment.  

What Causes Aneurysm?

Aneurysms rupture when the weakened wall of the artery bursts, causing traumatic tears in the heart or releasing blood from blood vessels into critical areas. Large aneurysms bursting could lead to massive internal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Symptoms of a potentially ruptured aneurysm are:

• Sudden, sever pain
• An extreme drop in blood pressure
• Signs of shock

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact a doctor, call 911, and get medical attention ASAP. Without treatment, ruptured aneurysms could be fatal. 

Family History

It’s important to know that one of the major causes of an aneurysm is genetics. Ask your family members and let your doctor know if your family has a history of aneurysms; that information can go a long way in detecting aneurysms early and treating them. 

Knowing the warning signs of an aneurysm can improve treatment success and even save your life. Be aware and cognizant of these potential changes in your body and seek out medical attention if you have any concerns!

The talented team of providers at South Valley Vascular are dedicated to providing effective, long-lasting, and educated vascular treatment to the communities of the Southern San Joaquin Valley. For information on their providers, what treatments they specialize in, and how to get in contact with South Valley Vascular, visit https://www.southvalleyvascular.com/.