Pain in your torso can be hard to diagnose. Many people with abdominal tension may first suspect an injury or digestive issue, but if the pain is accompanied by a pulsing sensation, you may have symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Often abbreviated as AAA, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulge or swelling in the main blood vessel carrying blood from the heart. As the bulge grows, symptoms become more noticeable. Vascular Surgical Associates, a division of Evansville Surgical Associates, can diagnose and treat the condition.
Common symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- Pain in the torso
- A pulsating sensation in the abdomen
- Cold feet
What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
The aortic artery is an essential part of your body. About the thickness of a garden hose when healthy, this large artery begins at your heart and goes down the center of your chest into your abdomen.
It provides blood to your:
- Legs
- Pelvis
- Abdomen
Unfortunately, sometimes the walls of the aortic artery can become weak, causing it to bulge or balloon outwards. This is known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). While not threatening in the early stages, the aneurysm can eventually swell and rupture. Tears in the wall of the aorta and internal bleeding can also occur, both of which can be life-threatening.
The main causes of AAA revolve around factors that weaken the walls of the aorta. Common factors include:
- Atherosclerosis
- Aging
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Genetics
Atherosclerosis is when fatty deposits build up in the arteries, leading to inflammation and weakening of the vessel walls. Aging can cause wear and tear on the arteries, making them more susceptible to aneurysms. High blood pressure can also strain the aortic walls, contributing to their weakening over time.
Smoking is another major risk factor, as it damages the blood vessels and accelerates atherosclerosis. Genetics also play a role, with a family history indicating a genetic predisposition to the condition.
3 Symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a slowly developing disease that often doesn’t have any symptoms. Instead, doctors usually discover them during an X-ray, CT, CTA, or MRI scan while looking for something else. It is often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its ability to go undetected for long periods of time.
The reason so many people go without any symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm is that they remain so small. However, you will begin to experience symptoms as it grows larger and becomes more of a threat to your health. Abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms are the result of the aneurysm growing larger and putting pressure on the surrounding organs.
This pressure is what leads to an abdominal aortic aneurysm’s most common symptom: pain. Other symptoms may occur and pain can appear in different parts of your body and spread to others.
Common symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- Pain in the torso
- Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
- Cold feet
It’s important to note that abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms are similar to other health issues. With similarities to coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcer disease, it’s important to get a diagnosis so you can receive proper treatment.
1. Pain in the Torso
Your torso is the middle part of your body. Pain caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm usually first appears in the:
- Chest
- Belly (abdomen)
- Lower back
- Flank (above the kidneys)
However, the pain can spread lower as the aneurysm grows. This can eventually cause it to spread to your groin, buttocks, and legs.
The type of pain you experience and how long it lasts can vary. For instance, pain due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm has been described as a deep, throbbing, or gnawing ache. Bouts of pain may only last for a few hours or they may last for a few days. Movement doesn’t usually affect the condition but some resting positions may be more comfortable than others.
2. Pulsating Sensation in the Belly
A pulsating sensation in the abdomen is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, it’s a common experience:
- When laying down
- During pregnancy
- When eating
- When pressing on the stomach
3. Cold Feet
An abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause serious changes in blood flow throughout your body. In some cases, it can even reduce or even completely cut off the flow of blood to your legs and feet. This occurs when a clot develops from the aneurysm, breaks off, and is carried to the legs or feet. This ends up causing feet that feel cold and possibly painful toes that turn blue or black and require immediate medical attention.
Treating Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Evansville, IN
Our doctors serve Evansville and the Tri-State area for their surgical needs.
Surgery isn’t always the first form of treatment for this condition. Instead, your surgeon may recommend using abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings to monitor the size and growth of your aneurysm. We perform these screenings in our ICAVL-accredited vascular lab using sound waves from abdominal ultrasounds.
Regular screenings allow us to provide long-term care and to work closely with your primary care physician. Together, we can determine if and when surgery may be necessary.
Do you need an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in Evansville, IN? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
Abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms are often the result of the aortic artery bulging into other organs. This can present itself as pain in your chest, belly, lower back, and above the kidneys. You may also experience a pulsing feeling in the belly. Cold feet are another symptom caused by a clot that breaks off and lodges in the legs or feet, cutting off circulation.
Evansville Surgical Associates has been providing comprehensive and compassionate surgical care for over 50 years. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231 to contact us or schedule an appointment. We are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
