sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services immediately.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the treating clinician promptly if there is new or worsening abdominal, back, side, or groin pain, even if a scan is already scheduled.

    The clinician can decide whether earlier imaging is needed.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is essential for both unrepaired and repaired aneurysms.

    For an aneurysm under surveillance, follow-up usually includes imaging, review of symptoms, blood pressure care, smoking status, and management of cardiovascular risk.

    After open repair, imaging is usually less frequent, but long-term follow-up remains important because other areas of the aorta can sometimes enlarge.

    Routine follow-up includes scheduled appointments, stable symptoms, and planned imaging.

    Sudden severe pain, fainting, confusion, profound weakness, or cold and clammy skin is not a routine follow-up issue.

The article also says

After EVAR, lifelong imaging is generally required to check the stent graft and aneurysm sac.

The exact schedule and type of imaging depend on the device and earlier results.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Abdominal aortic aneurysm. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.