Pulse in Abdomen

[holly808557]

Recently my pulse can be felt and seen throughout my abdomen area, from just below my left rib all the way to my belly button.  I know that this could be a very serious problem.   I recently had a tramatic event in my life and lost 25 lbs in 4 months.  My blood pressure is low (100/60).  I do have a family history of aneurysms, strokes, heart attacks, etc.  But not adominal (abdominal) aneurysm.  I have a slight murmur and MVP none syptomatic.  But this pulse is different and it started about 2 weeks ago.  Some tenderness and discomfort in certain laying positions and sometimes I feel sore in my mid-back area.  Exercise really makes it noticeable.   My heart seems to pound harder now and I get fatigued easily.  I had my husband feel the throbbing and he was shocked at how hard it was pulsing and he wanted to take me to the hospita right then.  I'm female 52 yrs old.  I only take advil and an occational Xanex to help me sleep.  I guess I wondering if an aneurysm can develop that quickly?  How serious should I treat this?   I would be grateful for any input on this.   Thanks H    

[Cleveland Clinic]

I would suggest that you get an ultrasound to exclude the presence of an abdominal aneurysm. It is more likely that having lost all of this weight, you now have the sensation of a prominent pulse, and this is a very common finding in those who have lost significant weight. To be sure however, an ultrasound would be diagnostic of an aneurysm, and if negative could serve to reassure you that this is not the presence of an aneurysm.