What are the symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysms?
Abdominal aortic aneurysms may be asymptomatic (without symptoms) or symptomatic (with symptoms). About three of every four abdominal aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic and may be found upon routine physical examination by the discovery of a pulsating mass in the abdomen. An aneurysm may also be discovered by x-ray, computed tomography scan (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is being done for other conditions. Since abdominal aneurysm may be present without symptoms, it is referred to as the “silent killer” because it may rupture before being diagnosed. Pain is the most common symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The pain associated with an abdominal aortic aneurysm may be located in the abdomen, chest, lower back, or groin area. The pain may be severe or dull. The occurrence of pain is often associated with the imminent (about to happen) rupture of the aneurysm. Acute, sudden onset of severe pain in the back and/or abdomen may represent rupture and is a life threat
