About 2 people in 100 have a brain aneurysm. Some people are born with a weakness in an artery in their brain. In other people, health conditions cause the aneurysm, such as: high blood pressure.
Up to 6% of people living in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm. While still rare, they do happen to up to 30,000 Americans each year. Brain aneurysms occur in both males and females and at any age, but brain aneurysms are most common in female adults between ages 40 and 60.
Brain aneurysms can occur in anyone and at any age. They are most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 60 and are more common in women than in men. People with certain inherited disorders are also at higher risk.
An unruptured aneurysm might not initially have any symptoms, but that usually changes as it grows larger. The warning signs that indicate a person has developed an unruptured brain aneurysm include: Pain behind or above an eye. Double vision.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Heavy lifting or straining can cause pressure to rise in the brain and may lead to an aneurysm rupture. Strong emotions, such as being upset or angry, can raise blood pressure and can subsequently cause aneurysms to rupture.
Researchers think high blood pressure is the most common cause of a rupture. Higher blood pressure makes blood push harder against blood vessel walls. Situations that can increase blood pressure and lead to a brain aneurysm rupture include: Ongoing stress or a sudden burst of anger or other strong emotion.
Aneurysms are very scary! When they rupture, they can have serious consequences and even lead to death.
It's rare, but an aneurysm that is large or growing can push on nerves or tissue and cause migraine-like symptoms, including: Headaches. Pain above or behind the eyes. Numbness, usually in your face.
Causes of aneurysms
high blood pressure (hypertension) over many years resulting in damage and weakening of blood vessels.
With rapid, expert treatment, patients can often recover fully. An unruptured brain aneurysm may cause zero symptoms. People can live with them for years before detection.
Bernard Bendok, M.D., Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic: A portion of these patients will go on to have a rupture. And the challenge with rupture is that it's unpredictable. Vivien Williams: Dr. Bernard Bendok says a ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency that can cause life-threatening bleeding in the brain.
Absolutely. Many aneurysms cause no symptoms at all. Some people live for years without knowing they have a brain aneurysm.
You should see a GP as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm. Although most aneurysms will not rupture, it's important to get it checked in case treatment is necessary.
Doctors usually find abdominal aortic aneurysms during a physical examination or on an X-ray. To understand more about the aneurysm, your doctor will examine your abdomen and feel the pulses in your legs.
“Another is that an aneurysm can disappear or heal itself. This is very rare and only happens in aneurysms that are considered benign because the flow of blood is so slow it eventually forms a clot and seals off the bulge.”
Although aneurysms contribute to more than 25,000 deaths in the United States each year, it's actually possible to live with and successfully treat an aortic aneurysm. Early detection is vital, however. Armed with the right information, you can help to prevent, detect and manage an aortic aneurysm.
Brain aneurysms are most prevalent in people ages 35 to 60, but can occur in children as well.
Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system. Now, a new clinical study suggests that insomnia may be a potential risk factor for a brain bleed from a ruptured aneurysm. “Ruptured aneurysms are highly fatal.
In this meta-analysis of 61 studies, we found that clipping of unruptured aneurysms was associated with a mortality of 2.6% (95% CI, 2.0% to 3.3%) and a morbidity of 10.9% (95% CI, 9.6% to 12.2%). Half the patients with surgical morbidity became dependent in daily life.
If a brain aneurysm is detected before it ruptures, treatment may be recommended to prevent it rupturing in future. Most aneurysms do not rupture, so treatment is only carried out if the risk of a rupture is particularly high.
Inherited risks associated with brain aneurysms
A family history of aneurysms can suggest a higher chance of having the condition. But, these risks increase even more if you have two or more first-degree relatives — such as a parent, sibling, or child — who have an aneurysm.
Other Activities That Can Worsen These Aneurysms
You might also be told to avoid doing any heavy lifting. Smoking is another activity to avoid when you have an aortic aneurysm. You should also work on managing stress and keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels.