Lifestyle

A Pulsing Feeling Near the Belly Button Can Signal an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Who Should Get Screened

By Curtis Jones · October 29, 2026

Few people give much thought to the aorta, the body’s main artery. But when part of it weakens and swells, the problem can grow for years without being noticed.

That swelling is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA. Mayo Clinic describes it as what happens when a lower part of the aorta gets weak and bulges outward like a balloon. The aorta runs from the heart through the center of the chest and the belly area. An aneurysm that ruptures can cause life-threatening bleeding.

The hard part is that there is often nothing to feel. MedlinePlus, the consumer health site of the National Library of Medicine, says aneurysms can develop slowly over many years, often with no symptoms. Mayo Clinic says many start small and stay small, while others get bigger over time, sometimes quickly.

When an aneurysm is growing, Mayo Clinic lists these possible signs.

A throbbing or pulsing feeling near the belly button. During an exam, MedlinePlus says, a provider may find a lump or a pulsating sensation in the abdomen.

Deep, constant belly pain. Mayo Clinic describes pain in the belly area or the side of the belly that is deep and constant.

Back pain. Mayo Clinic lists back pain as another possible sign of an aneurysm that is getting bigger.

A rupture is an emergency. Mayo Clinic says symptoms can include sudden, very bad and long-lasting belly or back pain that may feel like ripping or tearing, along with low blood pressure and a fast pulse. MedlinePlus adds that the pain may spread to the groin, buttocks or legs, and lists passing out, clammy skin, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and a rapid heart rate. It advises going to the emergency room or calling 911 for belly or back pain that is very bad or does not go away. According to MedlinePlus, only about 1 in 5 people survive a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

Because so many aneurysms cause no symptoms, screening is aimed at people at higher risk. Mayo Clinic calls smoking the strongest risk factor for aortic aneurysms, and says the longer and more someone uses tobacco, the greater the chances. Other risk factors it lists include being 65 or older, being male, being white, a family history of the condition, and having an aneurysm elsewhere. MedlinePlus also lists high blood pressure.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends one-time screening with ultrasound for men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. For men in that age range who have never smoked, it recommends that clinicians selectively offer screening rather than screen everyone, taking into account a person’s medical history, family history, other risk factors and personal values.

The advice for women is different. The task force recommends against routine screening for women who have never smoked and have no family history of AAA. For women 65 to 75 who have ever smoked or have a family history, it says the evidence is not sufficient to weigh the benefits and harms. That makes it a good topic to raise with a doctor.

If an aneurysm is found and it is small, MedlinePlus says surgery is rarely done, and a provider will usually check its size with ultrasound over time. The outcome is often good when an aneurysm is repaired before it ruptures.

Mayo Clinic’s prevention advice is familiar: don’t smoke or use tobacco, avoid secondhand smoke, eat a healthy diet, keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and stay active.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Ask your doctor whether screening is right for you, and call 911 for sudden, severe belly or back pain. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.