At 54, I survived a ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Jan. 18th, 2011, I'm speaking from firsthand experience I thought I had bi annual physicals, had no idea I had an aortic aneurysm! No sign or symptoms until: As I reflect back my symptoms include: I remember my eyes would sometimes blury or act as if they were crossed eyed vision. I recall getting cramps in my lower back area and these lower back cramps began to happen often; I would lay on the floor, ball up/fetal position and raising my legs up in the air the back cramps would release and go away. I fainted/passed out while being interviewed for a transfer request by my employer. Awakened by my employer, he said he would get someone to take me to the hospital, but made me promise that I would go to the emergency room. And we did. I was in the emergency room all day laying in real pain in the lower back area, but this time no matter what I tried, the pain would not release. Late that same afternoon, while lying in the emergency room, the AAA ruptured, and emergency surgery followed. I lost 10 pints of blood from the time they wheeled me from the ER to the Emergency Operating Room. My abdomen was swollen as if I were 9 mos. pregnant as the result of the amount of blood loss within just a few minutes. I'm so lucky to be alive. For me, I was at the right place at the right time thanks to my employer's encouraging word to get this check out right away.

I had 10 days of loose bowels and belly pains. My aneurysm was discovered fortunately as an MRI was taken. It was 9 cm large and close to rupturing.

I am 55 year old female just diganosed with a AAA 3cm. I am at the 'watchful waiting' stage. CT every 6 months till it gets to 5cm.

I am 56-year-old female and my symptoms were chest pain (left side) through to my left shoulder. Pressure in center of chest. I also tend to get short of breath. My doctor told me I have no markers for heart problems and dismissed my symptoms. Finally I went to another G.P. who sent me to a cardiologist. I had an angiogram and CT scan which showed an aortic aneurysm which is small at the moment. Treatment is blood pressure tablets, healthy diet, moderate exercise and regular checkups.

My husband recently suddenly died from a heart aneurysm. He was 33 years old, very fit and in fantastic shape. He only had the two symptoms the evening before: pain in left side of chest and excessive sweating. I am totally heartbroken and wanted to tell others of quick it can happen. The coroner told me that he would have died within seconds of falling to the floor.

I suffered a ruptured descending aortic aneurysm in 2003. It was discovered six months earlier and was being monitored by my cardiovascular doctor. I had been taking the drug Wellbutrin for smoking cessation on and off for quite a while.

I was having pain in my lungs. I go to a local clinic and the doctor diagnosed me as having pleurisy. The doctor prescribed medicine for me but after a few months, my lungs are hurting me again. This time I go to my family doctor. He wants to have me do a stress test. In both cases I asked for a chest x-ray, and neither doctor wouldn't order one. I had an appointment with my cardiologist for my yearly check-up scheduled within a month. I told my doctor of my symptoms, and he ordered the x-ray, it came back normal. September rolls around and I'm cutting the grass and my lungs began hurting again. I contact my cardiologist again and he schedules me for and echocardiogram in his office. I get a phone call a few days later from my doctor. They found an aortic aneurysm. My advice: listen to your body it is telling you something is wrong.

My husband had an aortic dissection that ruptured on the table he is only 37 years old. He has had a hard road to travel and I was told I would never bring him home but he has been home for almost two months now and he is walking and improving every day.