Aortic aneurysm with signs vs aortic aneurysm with symptoms
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aortic aneurysm symptoms signs emergency rupture official patient guidance
Signs are objective findings that a clinician can observe, measure, or detect on examination or tests.
Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient.
Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient.
For an aortic aneurysm:
| Term | Examples |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Chest, abdominal, flank, or back pain; a pulsating feeling in the abdomen; hoarseness, dysphagia, or breathlessness with a thoracic aneurysm |
| Signs | Palpable pulsatile abdominal mass, low blood pressure, tachycardia, cool/clammy skin, reduced consciousness, or imaging evidence of aneurysm/rupture |
Many intact aortic aneurysms cause no symptoms and no obvious signs. They may be discovered incidentally on ultrasound, CT, or echocardiography.
If an aneurysm is leaking or ruptured, the distinction is especially important:
- Symptoms: sudden severe persistent chest, back, or abdominal pain; faintness; nausea.
- Signs: hypotension, rapid pulse, shock, pallor/clamminess, altered consciousness, and possibly a tender pulsatile abdominal mass.
Sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain with fainting, sweating, breathlessness, or weakness can indicate aortic rupture or dissection and requires emergency services immediately. The American Heart Association overview and Mayo Clinic AAA guidance describe these as emergency features.
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