Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a weak spot that can develop anywhere along your aorta. As the aneurysm develops, the wall of your aorta breaks down. It bulges out and expands like a balloon.

Untreated aortic aneurysms can be life-threatening. If they grow too big, they can split or tear open (dissect). Or they may burst (rupture) completely. As a result, you could experience internal bleeding. 

Emory Healthcare is one of the nation’s busiest referral centers for treating aortic aneurysms that occur anywhere along the full length of the aorta. Other conditions we care for include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms: These weak spots occur in your stomach area. They are common but can be life-threatening. They cause internal bleeding if they burst.
• Thoracic aortic aneurysms: These weak spots develop in your chest. They may not bother you at all. But they can also be life-threatening if they burst.
• Renal aneurysms: These bulging, weak spots develop in the wall of the artery that takes blood to your kidney. These aneurysms are rare. They usually don’t cause symptoms. But they can lead to high blood pressure.

It is possible to have an aneurysm that affects your stomach and chest. These aneurysms are called thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.  

Abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms can cause different symptoms.

If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, you may experience:

• Back pain
• Deep, constant pain in your belly that may reach around your side
• Throbbing feeling like a pulse in your abdomen

If you have a thoracic aortic aneurysm, you can experience:

If your aneurysm bursts, seek medical care immediately. Symptoms of burst aneurysm can include:

The exact cause of aortic aneurysms is unknown. However, several factors increase your risk of developing one. These factors include:

Genetic connective tissue disorders can also increase your aortic aneurysm risk. These include Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

When you need expert aortic aneurysm care, our pioneering surgeons are here for you. They constantly research new aortic devices and treatments. This lets us manage conditions we couldn’t treat in the past.

Emory Healthcare is part of an academic medical center that includes Emory University School of Medicine. This means you get access to up-to-the-minute treatments and the opportunity to take part in a research study or clinical trial.