Understanding Peripheral Aneurysms: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute offers skilled treatment for peripheral aneurysms, a relatively rare type of aneurysm that develops in an artery other than the aorta or those in the brain. Generally speaking, an aneurysm occurs when excess pressure within an artery forces a weakened area of the arterial wall to bulge outward.

Aneurysms most commonly affect the aorta—the body’s largest blood vessel, which is responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the circulatory system—and the brain’s blood vessels. However, aneurysms can occur in any artery throughout the body, and when they develop outside the aorta and the brain, they’re referred to as peripheral aneurysms.

What Are the Types of Peripheral Aneurysms?

Peripheral aneurysms (also known as peripheral artery aneurysms) are commonly categorized into the following types depending on where they occur in the body:

• Carotid aneurysms – These are aneurysms that develop within the carotid arteries, which are located on either side of the neck and carry blood to the brain.
• Femoral aneurysms – These are aneurysms that occur within the femoral artery, which is found in the groin and supplies blood to the legs.
• Popliteal aneurysms – These are aneurysms that affect the popliteal artery, which runs down the back of the lower thigh and knee and supplies blood to the lower leg.
• Mesenteric aneurysms – These are aneurysms that develop within the abdomen, but not within the aorta. They include superior and inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms, as well as:
  • Celiac aneurysms, which affect the celiac artery’s ability to transport blood to the duodenum, liver, pancreas, spleen, stomach and other organs\
  • Hepatic aneurysms, which occur in the hepatic artery bringing blood to the liver
  • Splenic aneurysms, which develop in the splenic artery carrying blood to the spleen, pancreas and stomach
• Renal aneurysms – These are aneurysms that occur within the renal artery, which carries blood to the kidneys.

Peripheral aneurysms most commonly develop in the arteries within the neck and the legs.

What Are the Causes & Risk Factors of Peripheral Aneurysms?

Peripheral aneurysms can be caused by atherosclerosis, trauma, connective tissue disorders, infections and other conditions that weaken the arterial wall. High blood pressure increases the risk, which can cause weakened spots in the arterial walls to bulge outward.

You may have an increased risk of developing a peripheral aneurysm if you:

• Are over the age of 60
• Are a man (leg artery aneurysms, in particular, are more common in men)
• Previously experienced an aneurysm
• Have a family history of aneurysms or another type of heart or vascular disease
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Have high cholesterol
• Have a condition that affects your blood vessels’ wall structure (e.g., a connective tissue disorder)
• Are obese
• Have a history of smoking

Women have an especially high risk of developing splenic aneurysms during pregnancy. Splenic aneurysms also tend to be more common among women who have given birth multiple times.

What Are the Symptoms & Warning Signs of Peripheral Aneurysms?

In many cases, peripheral aneurysms don’t produce any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often include pain, numbness and swelling in the affected area, since peripheral aneurysms can exert pressure on nearby nerves and veins. In some cases, patients develop pulsating lumps at the location of their peripheral aneurysm. Additional peripheral aneurysm symptoms vary depending on where the aneurysm is located.

Leg Aneurysm Symptoms

When a peripheral aneurysm develops in the femoral or popliteal arteries, it can produce pain, cramping, numbness and weakness in the legs. Leg aneurysms can also result in toe pain and cause the toes to become discolored.

Mesenteric Aneurysm Symptoms

If a peripheral aneurysm occurs in the superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, celiac, hepatic or splenic arteries, it can lead to fainting (syncope), stomach pain or the sensation of being full soon after you begin eating.

Renal Aneurysm Symptoms

When a peripheral aneurysm develops in the renal artery, it can produce pain within the flanks, which are located on either side of the body between the lower ribs and the hips. Renal aneurysms can also cause blood pressure to increase. Additionally, hematuria (blood in urine) can sometimes occur.

Diagnosis & Tests for Peripheral Aneurysms

Peripheral aneurysms are often diagnosed when someone is visiting their doctor for a seemingly unrelated reason. With that said, it’s important to reach out to your physician if you experience any of the symptoms described above, and especially if you have chronic pain, feel a pulsating mass or have any of the peripheral aneurysm risk factors listed above.

If your doctor suspects that you have a peripheral aneurysm, they’ll likely begin by performing a physical examination and asking you about your personal and family medical histories. If you’ve been experiencing any symptoms, they’ll want to know what those symptoms involve, when they started, how they’ve changed over time and whether they have any other explainable cause. Your physician may also order one or more of the following tests to confirm your diagnosis:

• Angiogram
• Computed tomography (CT) angiography scan
• Duplex ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

How Do You Treat Peripheral Aneurysms?

The recommended course of treatment for a peripheral aneurysm will depend on numerous factors, including the size and location of the aneurysm, the condition of the nearby blood vessel and the patient’s overall health. If your physician determines that you have a peripheral aneurysm, they’ll recommend an approach that’s tailored to your specific needs.

Treatment for Small Peripheral Aneurysms

Doctors often recommend taking a “watchful waiting” approach for smaller peripheral aneurysms—this typically involves attending regular follow-up appointments so that your provider can closely monitor your aneurysm and detect any changes. If you have a small peripheral aneurysm, your physician may also recommend that you make certain lifestyle changes, potentially including:

• Controlling your blood pressure – Having high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing a peripheral aneurysm because the increased pressure tends to weaken blood vessel walls over time, thereby making them more susceptible to bulging outward. There are various steps you can take to naturally lower your blood pressure, including eating a nutritious diet (one rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products), reducing your sodium intake, limiting your alcohol consumption, exercising, losing excess weight, managing your stress levels and getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.
• Lowering your cholesterol – High cholesterol levels can cause plaque to build up within the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can in turn weaken the arterial walls and make them more vulnerable to bulging. One of the best things you can do to manage your cholesterol is to eat a nutritious diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fiber and whey protein and low in saturated fats and trans fats. Exercising and reducing your alcohol intake can also help lower your cholesterol.
• Quitting smoking – Smoking can damage the artery walls, increasing your chances of developing a peripheral aneurysm. So, if you currently smoke, quitting is a great way to reduce your risk of peripheral aneurysms and improve your overall heart health. Notably, quitting smoking can also help lower both your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels.

Treatment for Large Peripheral Aneurysms

If your health care provider determines that your peripheral aneurysm has already grown relatively large, they may recommend that you undergo surgery. Peripheral aneurysm surgery takes an endovascular repair approach, focusing on inserting a stent graft into the affected artery. Goals include reinforcing the weakened section of the blood vessel and preventing it from rupturing.

What Are the Complications & Long-Term Effects of Peripheral Aneurysms?

When compared to aortic aneurysms, peripheral aneurysms are less likely to rupture. With that said, they can still burst, which can lead to potentially life- and limb-threatening complications such as internal bleeding, loss of blood circulation and tissue damage. If you think that your peripheral aneurysm may have ruptured, it’s important to immediately call 911 or get to a hospital, since a burst aneurysm is considered a medical emergency.

Even when peripheral aneurysms don’t rupture, they can still be serious if left untreated, since they have the potential to cause complications such as blood clots. When a clot forms, it can prevent blood from flowing through blood vessels as intended. This is dangerous because if blood flow is blocked for an extended period of time, it can damage the organs and other bodily tissues. Blood clots also have the potential to travel to other areas of the body.

Carotid aneurysms, in particular, have the potential to cause transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and strokes. Because the carotid arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the brain, an aneurysm in one of them could interrupt the brain’s blood supply, which could lead to symptoms such as:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia)
• Drooping on one side of the face
• Blurred or double vision (diplopia)
• Difficulty speaking (aphasia)
• Slurred or garbled speech (dysarthria)
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Loss of coordination (ataxia)
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Nausea and vomiting
• Partial or total loss vision, speech or motor function
• Fainting
• Confusion and memory loss (amnesia)
• Agitation, irritability and other personality changes

How Do You Prevent & Reduce Your Risk of Peripheral Aneurysms?

Certain peripheral aneurysm risk factors cannot be controlled, such as being over the age of 60, being a man, having previously experienced an aneurysm or having a family history of aneurysms or other forms of heart and vascular disease. However, there are certain steps you can take to mitigate other risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking. In addition to following the tips described above, you should ask your physician for advice that’s personalized to your specific circumstances.

Living With Peripheral Aneurysms

After diagnosing you with a peripheral aneurysm, your physician will recommend a course of treatment that’s tailored to your personal needs. They’ll also walk you through exactly what you can expect moving forward. Many people live long, healthy lives with peripheral aneurysms, and your doctor will let you know what you can do to prevent any complications and improve your overall health and quality of life. It’s important that you carefully follow your health care provider’s recommendations, including attending any scheduled follow-up appointments and undergoing any necessary testing.

Peripheral Aneurysm Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We’ve compiled answers to some of the questions we most commonly receive regarding peripheral aneurysms.

Where Is the Most Common Site of a Peripheral Artery Aneurysm?

Peripheral artery aneurysms most commonly occur in the popliteal artery, which is located along the back of the lower thigh and knee. This artery is responsible for transporting blood to the lower leg, and when an aneurysm occurs here, it can cause symptoms such as leg pain, cramping, numbness and weakness. In some cases, popliteal aneurysms can also produce toe pain and discoloration.

Can You Shrink a Peripheral Aneurysm?

As of this time, no, there’s no nonsurgical treatment that can shrink an aneurysm. However, there are certain steps you can take to prevent a peripheral aneurysm from growing any larger and thereby reduce your risk of experiencing complications. These include lowering your blood pressure, reducing your cholesterol and quitting smoking.

What Are the Best Foods for a Peripheral Aneurysm?

Eating a diet rich in the following foods has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which can in turn prevent your peripheral aneurysm from increasing in size:

• Fruits
• Lean proteins
• Legumes
• Low-fat dairy products
• Nuts
• Vegetables
• Whole grains

The TGH Difference for Peripheral Aneurysms

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a peripheral aneurysm, don’t wait to seek treatment. Peripheral aneurysms can cause blood clots to form, which could eventually damage your organs and other tissues if left unaddressed. And in some cases, peripheral aneurysms can rupture, creating a potentially life- and limb-threatening emergency.

The skilled providers at Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute expertly diagnose and treat peripheral aneurysms for patients in Tampa, FL. Not only does our multidisciplinary team have extensive experience treating a wide range of cardiac and vascular conditions. Our partnership with the University of South Florida enables us to be at the forefront of academic medicine, with groundbreaking research and clinical trials. Qualities like this have helped us earn recognition from the following industry leaders:

• U.S. News & World Report – One of the Nation's Best Hospitals for Heart & Vascular Care and a High Performing Hospital for Heart Attack, Heart Arrhythmia and Heart Failure Treatment for 2025-26
• Becker’s Hospital Review – One of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs
• Newsweek – One of America’s Best Specialized Hospitals for Cardiac Care in 2025

Contact Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute today by calling code (813) 844-3900 or emailing heart-vascular@tgh.org. Our caring team can answer your questions and schedule a consultation.