Cerebral aneurysms can be caused by abnormalities in the artery wall that occur before birth. They also tend to be more common in people with genetic conditions such as connective tissue disorders and circulatory problems. Sometimes a history of head trauma can put a person at higher risk for developing an aneurysm. Other health conditions commonly linked to higher risk for aneurysm include high blood pressure, infection, brain tumors, disease of the blood vessels.
Certain factors such as drug and alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking may increase one's risk as well, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , a division of the National Institutes of Health. Most cerebral aneurysms will go unnoticed until they become very large or burst. A large aneurysm may press against the brain or nerves and cause a headache, pain above or behind the eye, blurred or double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking.
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm can be similar to those typically found in stroke patients , including a sudden severe headache sometimes called a "thunderclap headache" , pain above or behind the eye, numbness, weakness and paralysis on one side of the body. Symptoms can also look similar to those found in concussion patients, including double vision, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and loss of consciousness. Unfortunately, death from an aneurysm can occur frequently once there is a rupture.
Whether or not a patient survives may depend on a number of factors such as their age and overall health, the location of the aneurysm and also how quickly they receive medical care. Women are more likely than men to have a brain aneurysm ratio. Women, particularly those over the age of 55, have a higher risk of brain aneurysm rupture than men about 1. African-Americans and Hispanics are about twice as likely to have a brain aneurysm rupture compared to whites.
There are almost , deaths worldwide each year caused by brain aneurysms, and half the victims are younger than Most of the deaths are due to rapid and massive brain injury from the initial bleeding. Brain aneurysms are most prevalent in people ages 35 to 60, but can occur in children as well. Most aneurysms develop after the age of These can pose a particularly high risk and can also be difficult to treat.
Among patients evaluated in an emergency department for headaches, approximately one in has a ruptured aneurysm, according to one study. Another study puts the number at four in Accurate early diagnosis of a ruptured brain aneurysm is critical, as the initial hemorrhage may be fatal or result in devastating neurologic outcomes. Despite the widespread availability of brain imaging that can detect a ruptured brain aneurysm, misdiagnosis or delays in diagnosis occur in up to one quarter of patients when initially seeking medical attention.
In three out of four cases, misdiagnosis results from a failure to do a scan. The treatment of ruptured brain aneurysms is far more costly than the treatment of unruptured aneurysms: The cost of a brain aneurysm treated by surgical clipping The surgical method for treating an aneurysm. Read about how to reduce your risk of developing an AAA. An abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA usually causes no symptoms. Therefore, they tend to be diagnosed as a result of screening, or during a routine physical examination when a GP notices a distinctive pulsating sensation in your abdomen.
A diagnosis can be confirmed using an ultrasound scan. Ultrasound can also determine the size of the aneurysm, which is an important factor in deciding on a course of treatment. All men should receive an invitation in the year they turn 65 years old. For more information, visit our page on AAA screening. Treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA depends on several factors, including the aneurysm's size, your age and general health. In general, if you have a large aneurysm 5.
This is because the risk of the aneurysm rupturing is usually greater than the risk of having it repaired. If you have a small 3. You will also be given advice on how to slow its growth and reduce the risk of it rupturing — for example, stopping smoking — and perhaps medications to reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol level. If you are diagnosed with an AAA that is 5.
The surgeon will discuss treatment options with you, taking into account your general health and fitness, as well as the size of your aneurysm. Although both techniques are equally effective at reducing the risk of the aneurysm bursting, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Endovascular surgery is a type of "keyhole" surgery where the surgeon makes small cuts in your groin. A small piece of tubing called a graft— made of metal mesh lined with fabric — is then guided up through the leg artery, into the swollen section of aorta, and sealed to the wall of the aorta at both ends.
This is the safest of the two types of surgery available. However, the way the graft is attached is not as secure as open surgery. You will need to have surgery again if either of these occurs. In open surgery, the surgeon cuts into your stomach abdomen to reach the abdominal aorta and replaces the enlarged section with a graft. The risk of complications linked to the graft after surgery is lower than in people who have endovascular surgery.
The main risk of open surgery is death or heart attack, and recovery time is longer than with endovascular surgery.
If you are diagnosed with a small 3. If you smoke, the most important change you can make is to quit. Aneurysms have been shown to grow faster in smokers than in non-smokers. Read more about stopping smoking and nicotine replacement therapies NRTs that can make it easier to stop smoking. Your GP will be sent your test result and may decide to change your current medication or start you on a new one, especially if you have:.
Emergency treatment for a ruptured AAA is based on the same principle as preventative treatment. Grafts are used to repair the ruptured aneurysm. The decision on whether to perform open or endovascular surgery is made on a case-by-case basis by the surgeon carrying out the operation.
The best way to prevent getting an aneurysm, or reduce the risk of an aneurysm growing bigger and possibly rupturing, is to avoid anything that could damage your blood vessels.
If your GP finds out you have high blood pressure or a high cholesterol level, you may be prescribed medication for both. This will reduce the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA. Smoking is a major risk factor for aneurysms because it causes atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries and raises your blood pressure. The more you smoke, the greater your risk.
If you want to stop smoking, your GP will be able to refer you to an NHS Stop Smoking Service, which will give you dedicated help and advice about the best ways to quit. You can also call or chat online with Quit Your Way Scotland. The specially trained helpline staff can offer you free expert advice and encouragement.
Read more about stopping smoking and nicotine replacement therapies NRTs , which can make it easier to quit. This is because eating too much saturated fat can lead to high cholesterol, which can build up in the artery walls. Read more about high cholesterol. Find out more about healthy eating and how to reduce the amount of saturated fat you eat. Being active and doing regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.
Adults should do at least minutes two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. For it to count, the activity should make you feel warm and slightly out of breath. Someone who is overweight may only have to walk up a slope to get this feeling. Get more ideas on being active. Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body. This can raise your blood pressure, which in turn puts pressure on your arteries. Use a BMI healthy weight calculator to find out if you need to lose weight.
If you need to shed some weight, it's worth remembering that losing just a few pounds will make a big difference to your blood pressure and overall health. Get tips on losing weight safely and read more about preventing high blood pressure. Home Illnesses and conditions Heart and blood vessels Conditions Abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About abdominal aortic aneurysms 2.
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