Yes, there are warning signs that may occur before an aneurysm is diagnosed. While these warning signs may be general or nonspecific, they are an indication that it is important to seek medical attention for a complete evaluation.
It is important to recognize that some aneurysms may not produce any warning signs until they rupture.
The most common warning signs of an aneurysm include:
• Severe headache or neck pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• A drooping eyelid
• Blurry vision or double vision
• Seizures or convulsions
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body
• Difficulty speaking
• Feeling of a pulsing sensation near the affected area
• Pain behind the eyes
• Fainting
If you experience any of these warning signs, you should seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor may order a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose an aneurysm, and may also order a cerebral angiogram to determine the size and location of the aneurysm.
Treatment will depend on the size and type of aneurysm as well as your medical history. Treatment options can include surgical repair of the aneurysm or preventive measures to protect against rupture.
How do you detect an early aneurysm?
Early aneurysms can be detected in several ways. The most common is through imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan. These imaging tests use an x-ray beam or a magnetized field to create detailed images of the inside of your body.
They can also measure the size of an aneurysm and identify any potential abnormalities. Other types of tests, such as an ultrasound or angiography, may also be used to confirm a diagnosis. A doctor may also use a method known as carotid ultrasonography, which uses sound waves to measure the size of an aneurysm and its location.
If testing reveals an aneurysm, your doctor may also use a procedure called an Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) to reduce the risk of a rupture. This is a minimally-invasive repair procedure in which a graft is used to seal off the aneurysm.
How do you know if you’re at risk for an aneurysm?
If you have a family history of aneurysms, have any pre-existing medical conditions, have high blood pressure, or have been exposed to certain drugs, you may be at risk for an aneurysm. Common medical conditions linked to aneurysm risk include arterial dissection, connective tissue diseases, inflammatory conditions, and infections.
A history of smoking and using recreational drugs are also linked to aneurysm risk.
In some cases, the risk of an aneurysm may be undetected until it is found during a medical scan. Additionally, certain demographic factors including increased age, gender (with women being more prone to aneurysms) and race (with African Americans being more at risk) are associated with greater chances of an aneurysm.
Because of these factors, it is important for people in certain groups to be aware of the potential for a risk of an aneurysm and to keep up with regular check-ups with their physician.
If you are concerned that you may be at risk for an aneurysm, it is important to talk to your doctor about ways to modify your risk factors and to schedule regular screenings.
What triggers an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a weakened area in the body’s blood vessels, typically an artery, that balloons outward and can eventually burst. While the cause of aneurysms can often be unknown, there are several triggers that may create an aneurysm, such as:
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can cause a blood vessel to weaken, increasing the risk of an aneurysm forming.
• Smoking: Smoking constricts small blood vessels and decreases blood flow, increasing the risk of a weakened area forming.
• Trauma: Severe or blunt trauma to the head or neck can cause injury to the walls of a blood vessel, leading to an aneurysm.
• Genetic or inherited conditions: There are a few rare genetic conditions that can make an individual more predisposed to developing an aneurysm, such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, or polycystic kidney disease.
• Bacterial infection: Infections, such as syphilis, can cause inflammation inside of the blood vessel wall and increase the risk for an aneurysm.
• Drug use: Injecting illegal drugs increases the risk of an aneurysm due to damage the drugs can cause to the blood vessels.
Although not all aneurysms have identifiable causes, it is important to be aware of potential triggering factors in order to reduce the risk. If you are at a higher risk for developing an aneurysm due to one of these factors, your doctor may want to monitor you more closely and order regular imaging studies of your brain or other affected areas.
How likely am I to have a brain aneurysm?
The likelihood of you having a brain aneurysm can vary from person to person depending on a variety of factors. While the exact cause of brain aneurysms is not known, there are certain factors that may increase the risk.
These include age – people over 40 are far more likely to have a brain aneurysm, gender – women are three times more likely to develop a brain aneurysm than men, family history – having a close relative, such as a parent or sibling with a brain aneurysm, may increase your risk, high blood pressure, heavy smoking and illicit drug use, and other medical conditions.
It is advised to discuss your individual risk of having a brain aneurysm with your healthcare provider who can screen you for changes and assess your risk factors. If you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, or feel that you may be at risk, your healthcare provider may order tests to check for aneurysms.
These may include a computed tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), angiography, or cerebral angiography.
What age are you most likely to have an aneurysm?
The age at which someone is most likely to have an aneurysm can vary depending on the type of aneurysm and underlying risk factors. That said, in terms of brain aneurysms, which are the type most often discussed, research has shown that people who are between the ages of 35 and 60 are more likely to have an aneurysm than any other age group.
Additionally, those over 65 are more likely to have a brain aneurysm than those under 35. Overall, just over half (52%) of brain aneurysms occur in people under the age of 65. Therefore, while aneurysms can occur in any age group, they are most likely to occur in people between the ages of 35 and 60.
How long can you have an aneurysm without knowing?
The amount of time that a person can have an aneurysm without knowing is largely dependent upon the size, location, and other characteristics of the aneurysm. Generally, small aneurysms that are not causing any symptoms or major health issues may not be discovered until an unrelated medical test is done.
Meanwhile, large, symptomatic aneurysms can be detected much more quickly. Symptoms of an aneurysm may include throbbing pain, tenderness of nearby tissue, weak pulse, nerve problems, and many other physical issues.
Depending on the size, it may be possible to experience symptoms of an aneurysm without knowing the exact cause, but eventually the aneurysm must be properly identified and treated. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the signs of an aneurysm and to seek medical advice if something feels wrong.
It is also important to have yearly physicals and routine check-ups with a healthcare provider to ensure that any issues are identified as soon as possible.
Can you avoid an aneurysm?
Although it is not possible to completely avoid an aneurysm, there are certain steps you can take to lower your risk. The following steps can help:
1. Have regular check-ups with your doctor for early detection of any issues. Your doctor can do imaging tests to detect any potential problems, allowing for early treatment if an aneurysm is found.
2. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as both can increase your chance of an aneurysm.
3. Maintain a healthy diet. Eating foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and salt can keep your arteries in good condition.
4. Exercise regularly to stay in shape and strengthen your heart.
5. Monitor your blood pressure and seek early treatment if it is high. High blood pressure increases the risk of an aneurysm.
6. Avoid activities with a high probability of traumatic injury, such as contact sports. These can cause an aneurysm.
7. Be aware of the warning signs of an aneurysm such as sudden, debilitating head or neck pain, a drooping eyelid, and paralysis in certain parts of your body.
Taking these preventive steps can significantly reduce your risk of developing an aneurysm. However, if you notice any warning signs, seek medical help immediately.
Where are aneurysms most likely to appear?
Aneurysms are most commonly found in areas of the body where blood vessels branch off, such as the
aorta. In particular, aneurysms occur most frequently at the aortic bifurcations, where the aorta splits into the iliac arteries. Aneurysms may also occur in any artery, and have been found everywhere from the vessels of the brain (cerebral aneurysms) and heart (myocardial aneurysms) to the abdomen, legs and arms.
Other arteries commonly affected include the renal, splenic, femoral, carotid and pulmonary. In addition, aneurysms can also occur in veins. All in all, aneurysms generally occur in any artery or vein throughout the body.
What part of head hurts with aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when a section of a blood vessel weakens, causing it to bulge and, occasionally, rupture. Depending on the location of the aneurysm, it can cause severe pain in the head, neck, chest or abdomen.
In particular, the pain from an aneurysm in the head, or a cerebral aneurysm, may start out as a dull ache behind the eyes or at the back of the head, and then become a severe, throbbing pain. It may also be accompanied by a sharp, acute headache, as well as nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
In some cases, a cerebral aneurysm may cause a burst of exceptionally severe pain, known as a thunderclap headache. A thunderclap headache usually reaches its peak intensity within a minute and then gradually decreases.
How do you prevent aneurysm from rupturing?
The primary way to prevent a cerebral aneurysm from rupturing is to practice lifestyle changes to reduce the risk factors. These may include avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, reducing salt intake, limiting the intake of foods high in cholesterol, getting regular physical activity, and managing any health issues such as hypertension or diabetes that may increase your risk.
Additionally, it is important to receive regular check ups with your healthcare provider to look out for any changes, as often an aneurysm is present without it being detected.
If an aneurysm has already been found in an individual, ongoing medical care is important to avoid the aneurysm rupturing. This may include regular imaging to check for changes and medications to help prevent clotting.
Another way to reduce the risk of rupture is through a procedure called endovascular coiling, in which the aneurysm is blocked off from inside the artery using a catheter. Additionally, placement of a metal clip around the base of the aneurysm may help reduce the risk of rupture.
Surgery may also be used if necessary.
Seeking medical help as soon as possible is important if you experience any signs of an aneurysm such as a sudden, severe headache; blurry vision; nausea or vomiting; temporary paralysis or numbness on one side of the body; and even short-term memory loss.
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about how to best prevent a cerebral aneurysm from rupturing and to follow the recommended treatment plan so that any further risks can be minimized.
What does an unruptured aneurysm feel like?
An unruptured aneurysm, or an aneurysm that has not yet ruptured or bled, typically does not present any symptoms. However, some people may experience a localized throbbing, pulsating, tenderness, or tingling sensation in the area of their aneurysm.
This sensation is caused by the increased blood flow in the area of the aneurysm. If the aneurysm is in an area that can be felt, such as the abdomen or leg, it may cause a lump or bulge to be present.
Anyone who feels or notices any changes or sensations in their body should speak with their doctor. It is important to know that unruptured aneurysms can be dangerous and could potentially worsen over time, so it is important to continuously monitor and speak with a doctor about any changes.
Are brain aneurysms common?
No, brain aneurysms are not common. In the United States, an estimated 6 million people have an unruptured brain aneurysm, but only about 30,000 people suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm each year. The overall risk of suffering a ruptured aneurysm is estimated to be less than 1%.
However, the risk of suffering a ruptured aneurysm increases with certain risk factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, and a family history of aneuyrsmal disease. Women are also more likely to suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm than men.
The good news is that most people who have an unruptured aneurysm live without it ever rupturing. Including clipping, coiling, and endovascular flow diversion. Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is best for you.
Can brain aneurysms happen randomly?
Yes, brain aneurysms can happen randomly. Aneurysms are generally caused by a weakening in the wall of an artery that causes it to swell and form a bulge. These weaknesses can be caused by environmental factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and genetics.
In some cases, an aneurysm may occur without any obvious cause. This kind of aneurysm is known as a ‘spontaneous’ aneurysm.
These kinds of aneurysms are most often found in middle-aged and elderly people, and in some cases, they may have been present since birth or have developed over time without any warning signs or symptoms.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of these ‘spontaneous’ aneurysms they often don’t show any warning signs or symptoms until they rupture, making them particularly dangerous and difficult to treat.
The risk factors for a spontaneous aneurysm are still being studied, and at this point, there is no way to prevent them from happening. That being said, it is important to be aware of any risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, that can contribute to the development of an aneurysm, and to manage those risks if possible.
Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help to reduce the risk of an aneurysm developing.
Can aneurysm pain come and go?
Yes, aneurysm pain can come and go. In general, a symptom of an aneurysm is a sudden and severe headache or neck pain. Other symptoms can include vision changes, difficulty speaking, dizziness, and weakness on one side of the body.
Pain can come and go, but if it becomes persistent then it is important to seek medical attention right away. Depending on the location of the aneurysm, some people experience localized pain that tends to come and go, while others feel more severe, widespread pain that can last longer.
Depending on the size and location, treatment may include medications such as anticoagulants or even surgery. A doctor will be able to provide a more detailed treatment plan depending on the specific case.