If you've been diagnosed with an aneurysm, your doctor may advise you to consult a vascular surgeon for treatment. If you have questions about your condition and its treatment, here are some answers to guide you through this process.
What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a swollen area in an artery occurring where the artery wall has weakened. Most commonly occur in the brain or aorta, the main artery leading from the heart. While aneurysms can remain asymptomatic for many years they have the potential to rupture, causing a medical emergency and even death. Screening of suspected aneurysms and monitoring of confirmed ones is important to allow surgical intervention, if necessary, to reduce the risk of rupture.
What causes an aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm may be present at birth or due to a pre-existing condition such as high blood pressure, narrowing or fatty deposits in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, hypertension, or occasionally an injury.
The risk factors for aneurysms include being male, having a history of coronary heart disease or smoking and having a family history of aortic aneurysms. Screening is advisable for people with a close family history of the condition.
Aneurysms can occur at any age but are more prevalent in adults. Around 2% of adults have an aneurysm, with 10% of these having more than one. Older men are more likely than older women to have an aortic aneurysm, while brain aneurysms are more prevalent in women.
How are aneurysms treated?
Ultrasound can be used to detect and monitor the growth of aortic aneurysms. Your vascular surgeon will conduct surgery to treat any aortic aneurysm that has ruptured, and can also offer you elective surgery to repair widened blood vessels and reduce the risk of them rupturing.
Cerebral, or brain, aneurysms can be screened using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and treated prophylactically using microcoil embolisation or endovascular therapy. A ruptured brain aneurysm can require emergency surgery in the case of a large blood clot, and generally requires surgery within three days to ensure further bleeding will not occur.
Possible complications of aneurysms
The danger of aneurysms is their potential to burst. The rupture of a brain aneurysm generally occurs suddenly, causing a severe headache, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness and even stroke, while a ruptured aortic aneurysm can lead to collapse and can even result in death.
What to do if you think you might have an aneurysm
If you think you might have an aneurysm it is important to seek medical advice straight away. Aneurysms sometimes cause a minor haemorrhage before rupturing, consisting of a moderate but unusual headache, in the case of a brain aneurysm, or abdominal and back pain in the case of an aortic aneurysm. As aneurysms are often asymptomatic, early detection and treatment are crucial in reducing the risk of rupture and in preventing further bleeding after a rupture has occurred.
Share19 March 2018
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes ten years ago. Since my diagnosis, I have been committed to learning how to modify my lifestyle and adopt healthy practices, such as daily exercise and eating wholefoods, that help control my diabetes and improve my quality of life. I started this blog to connect with others living with this condition and to share what I've learned on my personal journey to better health. I also update the blog with the latest research and news relating to type 2 diabetes. If you have a specific question that's not been addressed in a blog post, feel free to send me an email.
