Not necessarily; feeling a pulse in your abdomen can be normal. An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a weakening in the aortic wall causing dilation of the andominal wall to a diameter greater than 3 cm. The most common cause of feeling a pulse in the abdominal area is thin body habitus. As you are a woman under the age of 40, having an AAA is exceedingly rare. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), screening for AAA is with an abdominal ultrasound and they make the following recommendations:
1) One-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasonography in men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
2) No recommendation for or against screening for AAA in men aged 65 to 75 who have never smoked.
3) Recommendation against routine screening for AAA in women.
If you have a family history of AAA, any abdominal surgeries, or experience symptoms beyond just being able to feel a pulse in your abdomen, please visit your primary care physician for further evaluation.