A simple thumb test can reveal if you are at risk of having a deadly heart problem that can kill in minutes.

The new test could help to identify if a person has an unknown aortic aneurysm- an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel.

Occasionally if the aneurysm becomes large, it can cause back pain or a pulsating feeling in your abdomen, but in most cases, a person with will have no symptoms and they are usually only detected after an ultrasound scan.

Sadly, around eight in 10 people with a rupture will die before they reach hospital.

But with the simple at home test, proposed by a study in the American Journal of Cardiology, you can check the warning signs.

To conduct the test, place your hand in the air, as if you were signalling someone to stop.

Then, keeping you palm flat, stretch your thumb as far as you can towards your little finger.

Research suggests that if your thumb stretches past the edge of your hand, then you could have a hidden aortic aneurysm.

This is because it could indicate that a person’s joints are lax, which is a sign of connective tissue disease that could affect your aorta.

However, it should be noted that not everybody who can do this will be found to have the condition. 

If you are worried, you should seek medical advice from your GP.

What causes an aortic aneurysm?

According to the NHS website, people at a higher risk, include all men aged 66 or over and women aged 70 or over who have one or more of the following risk factors:

  • high blood pressure
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • high blood cholesterol
  • a family history of aortic aneurysm
  • cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease or a history of stroke
  • they smoke or have previously smoked

How do you reduce your risk of an aortic aneurysm?

  • stop smoking
  • eat healthily
  • exercise regularly
  • maintain a healthy weight
  • cut down on alcohol

What are the symptoms of an aortic aneurysm?

AAAs do not usually cause any obvious symptoms, but some people may have:

  • a pulsing sensation in the abdomen
  • abdomen pain that does not go away
  • lower back pain that does not go away

If the aneurysm burst a person may have:

  • sudden, severe pain in the abdomen or lower back
  • dizziness
  • sweaty, pale and clammy skin
  • a fast heartbeat
  • shortness of breath

You should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else develops these symptoms.