What are the symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
Thoracic aortic aneurysms may be asymptomatic (without symptoms) or symptomatic (with symptoms). Symptoms of a thoracic aneurysm may be related to the location, size, and growth rate of the aneurysm. Severe onset of pain associated with a thoracic aneurysm may be a sign of a life-threatening medical emergency. Symptoms of an ascending thoracic aneurysm may include, but are not limited to, the following: • pain in the chest, neck, and/or back • swelling of head, neck, and arms as a result of pressure on large blood vessels • heart failure – an ascending aneurysm may affect the heart valves, causing blood to back up into the heart Symptoms of an aortic arch aneurysm or a descending thoracic aneurysm may include, but are not limited to, the following: • wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath as a result of pressure on the trachea (windpipe) • coughing up blood (hemoptysis) • hoarseness as a result of pressure on the vocal cords • difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) due to pressure on th
