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Cause of Pain in the Artery in the Stomach

A sense of pain emanating from the artery leading through the stomach may be a condition known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Timely treatment and repair of this disorder is crucial in order to avoid aneurysm rupture, the 13th leading cause of death in the United States,

  1. Identification

    • The aortic artery is the largest in the human body and carries blood from the heart through the abdomen and to the lower extremities of the body. A likely cause of pain in the artery in the stomach is a condition called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

    Significance

    • Abdominal aortic aneurysms are brought about by a weakening of the aortic wall resulting in a bulging of the vessel. "The aneurysm will grow larger and eventually rupture if it is not diagnosed and treated," according to the Vascular Disease Foundation.

    Symptoms

    • Shortness of breath, a raspy voice, backache, or pain in the shoulder blades or through the neck may be signs of an AAA. "An aortic aneurysm in the stomach area may cause pain or tenderness," says the Texas Heart Institute."You may also have an upset stomach or feel less hungry."

    Warning

    • An abdominal aneurysm can often be a fatal condition. The University of Southern California's Center for Vascular Care estimates that between 30 to 50 percent of people with a ruptured AAA die before reaching the emergency room.

    Treatment

    • Early treatment focuses on utilizing medication to lower the blood pressure and relax the artery wall. Surgery is also an option but typically is reserved for extremely advanced or large aneurysms.

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