Complications

Tears in the wall of the aorta and rupture of the aorta are the main complications of thoracic aortic aneurysm. A ruptured aortic aneurysm can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. In general, the larger the aneurysm, the greater the risk of rupture.

Signs and symptoms that your thoracic aortic aneurysm has burst include:

• Sudden, intense and persistent chest or back pain
• Pain that radiates to your back
• Trouble breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble swallowing
• Weakness or paralysis of one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or other signs of a stroke

Blood clot risk

Another complication of aortic aneurysms is the risk of blood clots. Small blood clots can develop in the area of the aortic aneurysm. If a blood clot breaks loose from the inside wall of an aneurysm, it can block a blood vessel elsewhere in your body, possibly causing serious complications.