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What if a silent threat was growing inside your body, completely unnoticed, until it became life-threatening? That’s the danger of an aneurysm. Aneurysms are often symptomless until they burst, necessitating monitoring and early identification. One of the most frequent forms is an aortic artery aneurysm, which affects the body's major artery, the aorta. Brain aneurysms are particularly dangerous, accounting for over 500,000 deaths globally each year, with half of the victims under the age of 50.
In this essential guide, we’ll explain the warning signs to watch for and the life-saving aneurysm treatments modern medicine offers.
Synopsis
Understanding Aneurysms
An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the weakest part of an artery wall. Untreated aneurysms can cause blood clots that block blood flow in arteries or rupture an aneurysm. Aneurysms aren't painful, and you may not realise you have one until it bursts or ruptures, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
The risk of an aneurysm forming and rupturing varies across individuals. Smoking and high blood pressure are major risk factors for the development of aneurysms.
Types of Aneurysms
Aneurysms can form in any artery, including the heart, abdomen, brain, or legs. Depending on the location, they are classified as:
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Aortic artery aneurysm: An aneurysm damages the body's main artery. The chances of an aortic aneurysm turning fatal are high.
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Abdominal aneurysms: They form in arteries carrying blood to the abdomen.
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Cerebral aneurysms: Also known as intracranial aneurysms, they affect an artery in the brain. Due to their appearance, they are known as saccular or berry aneurysms. A burst aneurysm in the brain can become lethal within 24 hours.
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Thoracic aneurysm: The aneurysm is less common and starts in the upper section of the aorta within the chest.
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Peripheral aneurysm: An aneurysm develops in blood vessels in other parts of the body, including the legs, groin, or neck. Types of peripheral aneurysms include:
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Popliteal aneurysm: The aneurysm develops behind the knee
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Splenic artery aneurysm: This form of aneurysm appears around the spleen
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Mesenteric artery aneurysm: The artery that transports blood to the intestine is affected
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Femoral artery aneurysm: The aneurysm affects the femoral arteries
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Carotid artery aneurysm: This type of aneurysm develops in the neck
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Symptoms of Aneurysm
Normally, aneurysms do not cause any symptoms, but in some cases, an individual may develop symptoms.
These individuals may experience:
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A drop in blood pressure
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Confusion or dizziness
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Nausea or vomiting
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Pain in the abdomen, chest, or back
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Rapid heart rate
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Vision changes
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Fatigue
Symptoms of a burst aneurysm appear suddenly and may include:
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Rapid heartbeat
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Lightheadedness
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Sudden severe pain in the chest, abdomen, head, or back
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Sudden loss of consciousness following a severe headache
What Are the Complications of an Aneurysm?
Internal bleeding caused by a ruptured aneurysm can have serious and life-threatening consequences. For example, rupture of an aneurysm in the neck can cause blood clots to travel to the brain, leading to stroke, whereas when a brain aneurysm ruptures, it leads to subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Causes of Aneurysms
Individuals may either be born with an aneurysm or may acquire it at any point in their lives. Often, the most common causes for aneurysms are atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, injury to the aorta, or a family history of aneurysms.
Risk factors may vary depending on the type of aneurysm. Females are more susceptible to brain aneurysms, whereas males are more likely to get aortic aneurysms. The risk of abdominal aneurysm is higher in males, those over 60, smokers, and individuals of white descent.
Aneurysm Treatment
If you are diagnosed with an aneurysm, you will be monitored closely to avoid the risk of rupture. Most aneurysms are treated with medications or surgery. Medications help lower blood pressure, control cholesterol, and improve blood flow, therefore slowing the growth of aneurysms. Larger aneurysms at risk of rupture are treated with surgery, which may include:
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Open surgery: A surgeon may perform an open procedure to remove the aneurysm and place a graft by making an incision.
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Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): A catheter is inserted into the artery through which a graft is inserted to reinforce or repair the artery.
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Endovascular Coiling: The surgeon inserts many coils of platinum wire through a catheter to pack the aneurysm. Often used for treating cerebral aneurysms, this procedure reduces blood flow to the aneurysm and prevents the risk of rupture.
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Microvascular Clipping: A type of open brain surgery to treat cerebral aneurysms. In this procedure, the surgeon places a metal clip at the base of the aneurysm to cut off its blood supply.
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Catheter Embolisation: The blood supply to the aneurysm is cut off by this procedure. The surgeon inserts a catheter into the affected artery; using the catheter, the surgeon places medication or embolic agents to prevent bleeding.
Abdominal aneurysm treatment involves open repair or EVAR.
Conclusion
Aneurysms are often silent but potentially deadly, making awareness, early detection, and timely treatment essential. Whether it's an aortic, cerebral, or peripheral aneurysm, understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and available treatment options can save lives. If you or someone you know is at risk, don’t ignore the signs—speak to our cardiologist at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, and take proactive steps to protect your health.
FAQ's
The exact cause of an aneurysm is not fully understood, but several factors could contribute to its development, including:
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Damage to arterial tissue: Conditions like high blood pressure or trauma can weaken the arterial walls
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Atherosclerotic disease: A buildup of plaque within the arteries could lead to weakening or narrowing of the arterial walls
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High blood pressure: It could significantly strain the arteries, causing them to enlarge and weaken over time.
A complete investigation of your medical and family history, together with a detailed physical examination, is done. Depending on the suspected location, your healthcare provider may prescribe an ultrasound, CT, MRI, or angiography for accurate diagnosis and to evaluate the extent of your condition.
While it’s not always possible to prevent the condition, your lifestyle choices may help lower the risk. Lifestyle habits like a healthy diet and regular exercise can nourish and strengthen your blood vessels. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of aneurysm. Furthermore, scheduling regular check-ups with your doctor can help detect any potential issues early.
Individuals with aneurysmal headaches report them to be incredibly painful. It may also be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting, blurring of vision, sensitivity to light and dizziness.
Once an aneurysm forms, it is less likely to heal by itself or reduce in size. Sometimes, smaller aneurysms may remain stable in size for many years or might slowly increase in size.
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