The enlargement or bulging occurs at a weak area of the middle layer of an artery wall. An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or bulging that occurs anywhere along the length of the aorta. This aneurysm can be located in either the chest or the stomach area, since the aorta goes from the heart to about the level of the hips. Aortic aneurysms most frequently occur in white men between 50 and 60 years of age. Other things that can increase the chances of having an aortic aneurysm include high blood pressure, smoking, and a family history of aortic aneurysm.
Most aortic aneurysms have no symptoms at all.
Sometimes an aortic aneurysm in the chest will cause a cough, a hoarse voice, trouble with swallowing, or trouble getting your breath. The biggest, most important symptom is pain. If the aneurysm is in the chest, the pain is in the chest. The pain may also go up the neck, to the shoulders, to the stomach, or to the back. If the aortic aneurysm is in the stomach area, there will be severe pain in the stomach area.