Which of these is a risk factor for aneurysms?
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An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to abnormally balloon out or widen. The causes of aneurysms are sometimes unknown. Some people are born with them. They can also be hereditary. Aortic disease or an injury may also cause an aneurysm. A family history of aneurysm may increase your risk for developing an aneurysm. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco use. Aneurysms can occur in any artery, but the most common are:
Learn more about the different types of aneurysms. Symptoms and diagnosisAneurysms can develop over many years and often have no symptoms. If an aneurysm expands quickly or ruptures, symptoms can vary based on the location and may develop suddenly. Depending on the site of the aneurysm, symptoms can include:
Your doctor can use an angiogram, CT scan or ultrasound test to diagnose an aneurysm. Treatment and preventionAn aneurysm can become a medical emergency. Call 911 or your local emergency number and seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know is having aneurysm signs and symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with an unruptured aneurysm, work with your doctor to monitor any changes to the aneurysm. Your condition may require regular checkups depending on the aneurysm’s size and location. Some aneurysms may require surgery to reinforce the artery wall with a stent. When the aneurysm has ballooned out the side of the blood vessel, a clip or coiling procedure may close off the area. Lower your riskTo lower your risks for an aneurysm, maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your life. Some steps include:
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. OverviewThe Dangers of Brain AneurysmAneurysms can lurk without symptoms, but screening can save lives. Click here for an infographic to learn moreA brain aneurysm (AN-yoo-riz-um) is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. An aneurysm often looks like a berry hanging on a stem. A brain aneurysm can leak or rupture, causing bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Most often, a ruptured brain aneurysm occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain. This type of hemorrhagic stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. A ruptured aneurysm quickly becomes life-threatening and requires prompt medical treatment. Most brain aneurysms, however, don't rupture, create health problems or cause symptoms. Such aneurysms are often detected during tests for other conditions. Treatment for an unruptured brain aneurysm may be appropriate in some cases and may prevent a rupture in the future. Talk with your health care provider to ensure you understand the best options for your specific needs. SymptomsRuptured aneurysmA sudden, severe headache is the key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. This headache is often described as the "worst headache" ever experienced. In addition to a severe headache, common signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include:
'Leaking' aneurysmIn some cases, an aneurysm may leak a slight amount of blood. This leaking may cause only a sudden, extremely severe headache. A more severe rupture often follows leaking. Unruptured aneurysmAn unruptured brain aneurysm may produce no symptoms, particularly if it's small. However, a larger unruptured aneurysm may press on brain tissues and nerves, possibly causing:
When to see a doctorSeek immediate medical attention if you develop a:
If you're with someone who complains of a sudden, severe headache or who loses consciousness or has a seizure, call 911 or your local emergency number. Brain aneurysms develop as a result of thinning artery walls. Aneurysms often form at forks or branches in arteries because those areas of the vessels are weaker. Although aneurysms can appear anywhere in the brain, they are most common in arteries at the base of the brain. Mayo Clinic Minute: What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. "A proportion of these patients will go on to have a rupture. And the challenge with rupture is that it's unpredictable." Dr. Bernard Bendok says a ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency that can cause life-threatening bleeding in the brain. "The typical presentation is somebody who has the worst headache of their life." Fast treatment is essential. It includes open surgery, or less-invasive options, such as sealing the ruptured artery from within the blood vessel with metal coils and/or stents. Dr. Bendok says 1 to 2 percent of the population have aneurysms, and only a small percentage of that group will experience a rupture. People who have a family history of aneurysms, have polycystic kidney disease, connective tissue disease, and people who smoke are at increased risk of rupture, and should consider screening. If a rupture happens, fast treatment can save lives. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesThe causes of most brain aneurysm are unknown, but a range of factors may increase your risk. Risk factorsA number of factors can contribute to weakness in an artery wall and increase the risk of a brain aneurysm or aneurysm rupture. Brain aneurysms are more common in adults than in children. They're also more common in women than in men. Some of these risk factors develop over time, while others are present at birth. Risk factors that develop over timeThese include:
Some types of aneurysms may occur after a head injury or from certain blood infections. Risk factors present at birthSome conditions that are present at birth can be associated with an elevated risk of developing a brain aneurysm. These include:
ComplicationsWhen a brain aneurysm ruptures, the bleeding usually lasts only a few seconds. However, the blood can cause direct damage to surrounding cells, and the bleeding can damage or kill other cells. It also increases pressure inside the skull. If the pressure becomes too high, it may disrupt the blood and oxygen supply to the brain and loss of consciousness or even death may occur. Complications that can develop after the rupture of an aneurysm include:
What are risk factors for aneurysms?Additionally, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol puts one at risk of atherosclerosis (a blood vessel disease in which fats build up on the inside of artery walls), which can increase the risk of developing a fusiform aneurysm. Not all aneurysms will rupture.
What are three major causes of an aneurysm?Increased risk. Smoking. Smoking tobacco can significantly increase your risk of developing a brain aneurysm. ... . High blood pressure. High blood pressure can place increased pressure on the walls of the blood vessels inside the brain, potentially increasing your chances of developing an aneurysm. ... . Family history.. What is the risk of aneurysms in the brain?Age Factors: Those most susceptible to brain aneurysms fall between the ages of 35-60. While cerebral aneurysms can occur in children, the majority form after the age of 40. Gender Factors: Women also have an increased risk. For every five people who have a brain aneurysm, three of them are women.
What is the most common aneurysm?The most common, "berry aneurysm," occurs more often in adults. It can range in size from a few millimeters to more than two centimeters. A family history of aneurysms may increase your risk.
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