Pulse in abdomen

[MildredsMussaurus]

I went to the GP about a different issue, and when she examined my abdomen she said the pulse in the aorta was quite prominent. She's sending me for a scan (appt in a couple of weeks) and I'm freaking out.

I'm female, early 40s, no family history of aneurysm. GP said she couldn't feel any lump/mass but wanted to check in case there was 'a small aneurysm'.

Has anyone else had similar and been fine?

I do have a strong pulse in that area above my belly button, but I can feel DH's pulse in the same place and it seems just as strong.

Other doctors have never picked up on it when I've had abdominal exams, but I can't say if it's always been like this or if it's stronger than it used to be. It hadn't bothered me until now...

And now I’m concerned. I often feel mine and wonder if I’m at risk of AA but then just thought that maybe I can feel it so much now because I’m thinner.
I know my GP has me down as a raving hypochondriac so I’m too scared to ask them about it.

Yes, this has happened to me and everything was fine, try not to worry! I was referred for an ultrasound after the Dr could feel my aorta pulsating during an abdominal examination for something else. The sonographer said it was probably because I was slim as that can make it more prominent (I had lost a lot of weight and was very stressed at the time, I don't know if stress makes it worse). I wanted to reply to you because I was totally freaking out about it so I know how it feels. Good luck, I hope everything turns out fine for you too.

Sorry for worrying you @HazelandChacha I have a history of health anxiety too (can you guess!) so I'd say I'm sure you're fine, and not to worry about something that some other random hypochondriac has posted on Mumsnet.

Thanks for the reply @CatPeople. That's reassuring. I'm not hugely slim but I do have IBS and I think when I'm feeling bloated I can feel the pulse more, so it could be related to that.

I know anxiety-wise I shouldn't panic. I've been sent by doctor for other tests before and have always been absolutely fine, and it's good that they're cautious. But I particularly don't like the sudden death element to this one.

@MildredsMussaurus I have this too - in fact, I’ve just posted a similar thread, because I can feel it’s much firmer on my left side around the area of my strong pulse when I lie down completely flat. I don’t have a lot of belly fat, so when I lie down it actually protrudes slightly on my left side - do you notice this??
In my case, no ones noticed it except me & like previous poster, almost scared to mention it to my doctor as I think they think I’m a hypochondriac too!

Thought I'd update for the posters that I scared, and anyone else who might come across this by googling in future.

The san was absolutely fine. My aorta is normal.

I am slightly podgy on the tummy, and have been offered no explanation of why I would have a more prominent pulse, so guess it's just one of those things.

@Louisethemum the pulse is stronger on the left, but I've not noticed my abdomen protruding more on one side. I'm not going to examine it to check either or I'll start myself on another anxiety trip!

*scan

@MildredsMussaurus thanks for the update. So often in these forums you don’t get one 😊 glad everything is fine for you x