Visble Pulse In Abdomen For Years

Is it normal to see and feel the pulse in the abdomen?

If you’re moderately skinny, yes. The aorta (largest blood vessel that leaves the heart) runs through the abdomen to about the level of your belly button, where it splits into the two iliac arteries (one for each leg). The aorta is a little bigger around than your thumb for most of this path. It’s a big artery, carrying a lot of blood. You should need to push in a little to feel the pulse. You can often see the upper abdomen pulsate a little when you’re lying down but this (in my opinion) seems to be more due to the heart beating and pushing against the diaphragm, which makes it look like your abdomen is pulsing. I used to be fascinated by that when I was a kid and skinny enough to see it…All of that said, there is a pathologic condition called Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in which part of wall of the aorta gives out and balloons out. Imagine a garden hose with a bulge in part of it. This is abnormal and very dangerous as it can rupture, which is almost always fatal. if you are overweight, over about 40, started having back pain around the time you noticed this pulse, are a smoker, or a have a family history of aneurysms, and you can see or feel a pulse in your abdomen, I’d recommend seeing your doctor. If you’re a 20-something skinny person, this is very likely normal.

I can feel my pulse in my abdomen. Is this normal?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries (the common iliacs). The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body through the systemic circulation (1).Most of the time feeling a pulse in your abdomen is normal, particularly if you are a thin person.However, much less commonly feeling a strong pulse in the abdominal area, particularly if it is together with feeling a bulge, may be caused by a weakness and dilatation of the lower part of the aorta, called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).Risk factors for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm include (2)Age - AAA is often seen in males over age 60 who have one or more risk factors.SmokingHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolMale genderEmphysemaGenetic factorsObesityInflammation (vasculitis) or infection of the aortaThe larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture and break open.Symptoms of AAA:A pulsating feeling near the navelTenderness or pain in abdomen, chest or backClammy skinNausea and/or vomitingShockReferences:Aorta. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AortaAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlinepl...Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health...

What might be causing the pulsating upper abdomen just under chest bone?

Your aorta (largest artery in the body) runs thru the center of your body. The thoracic and abdominal aorta are above and below this area. If feeling pulsating it might be blood flow, restriction or something pressing against these areas. Concerning if pain is present with the pulsation. This could mean an abdominal aortic aneurysm or Thoracic aortic aneurysm for the chest area. Refer to this symptom checker https://symptomchecker.webmd.com...According to the site there are 67 possible reasons. The above mention being the more serious as could be fatal if bursts and not treated right away.